Breast Health event set to bring Paula Abdul to Halifax

HALIFAX, Oct. 12 /CNW/ - Following on the heels of a successful premiere in 2010 with Richard Simmons, Bust a Move for Breast Health is set to return to Halifax March 26, 2011 with none other than Paula Abdul as its celebrity fitness leader. At an announcement this morning at Park Lane Empire Theatres, organizers from the QEII Foundation and the IWK Foundation surprised the crowd with news the pop star and former 'American Idol' judge is set to grace the Bust a Move stage as part of the six-hour fitness fundraiser for breast health.

Sarah MacDonald, volunteer chairperson of the home-grown fundraiser, promised an unforgettable event for 2011 with even more excitement and a brand new venue. Bust a Move for Breast Health is set to be the first major post-games event at the new Canada Games Centre in Clayton Park. Participants from the 2010 event, representatives from the IWK Foundation and the QEII Foundation, breast cancer patients, advocates, sponsors and event volunteers cheered news of the 2011 details at today's announcement.

"This truly has become a revolution," said Sarah MacDonald at today's launch. "Since its launch last year, Bust a Move has become synonymous with energy, excitement and commitment to advancing world class breast health services for Nova Scotia." The 2010 event successfully raised over $1.14 million (net) for the acquisition of new digital mammography equipment. 2011 has targeted the next phase of the development of a world-class Breast Health Centre, which will be located at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax.

The partners bringing the event to life, the QEII Foundation and the IWK Foundation, aim to further enhance breast health services after the advances funded by last year's premiere. Judi Phillips, who fought breast cancer herself and is a healthy lifestyle advocate, is lending her voice to the 2011 Bust a Move for Breast Health and offered words of encouragement for those currently facing a breast cancer diagnosis. "We have tremendous diagnosis and treatment facilities in this province," she said at today's launch, "and when we can get together as a community for something like Bust a Move, we can only make things even better so everyone facing breast cancer has an opportunity for the kind of recovery I had." Phillips has already registered her team of friends for the event. "Go to the website, www.bustamove.ca and register yourself, or pledge someone who has already registered. Get involved."

About the IWK Foundation

The IWK Foundation is a charitable organization with the mission to inspire and celebrate giving to support excellence in specialized care for Maritime families. The IWK Health Centre is the tertiary health centre for women, youth, children, and families for the Maritimes.  Through donor generosity over $10 million a year is granted to the IWK to fund the areas of greatest that may include priority equipment, ground-breaking research, and programs that bring extra comfort to families during difficult times.  For more information on the IWK Foundation visit www.iwkfoundation.org.

About the QEII Foundation

The QEII Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization established to strengthen health care at the QEII. The Foundation's mission is leading the spirit of philanthropy to enrich health care for Atlantic Canadians and in the process helps support the QEII's quest to become a world-leading haven for health, healing and learning. The QEII Foundation raises funds to support excellence in patient care through the purchase of state-of-the-art patient technology, promotion of professional education, advancement of medical research, and involvement with community-based disease prevention initiatives.

For further information:

Steve Jennex, QEII Foundation [phone]
Sara Napier, IWK Foundation [phone]