Bust a Move for Breast Health™ delivers unforgettable day and important funds for breast health
HALIFAX, March 24, 2012 /CNW/ - Beloved actress and comedian Andrea Martin brought her comic relief and her empowering outlook to the third annual Bust a Move for Breast Health™. The daylong fitness event netted $501,471, along with a generous community partner donation of $100,000, for a total of $601,471 for the development of the Breast Health Centre in Halifax.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Canada Games Centre which was packed with local talent to deliver an unforgettable day. Emcee Jeremy Webb, along with host Andrea Martin, kept participants motivated for six fitness sessions led by some of Nova Scotia's best fitness instructors. Band Big Fish, along with dancers and drummers, provided the music and entertainment throughout the day and an amazing Acra Yoga performance was the focal point of the closing ceremony.
Laura Charlton, volunteer chairperson of the homegrown fundraiser, and Vice President, Nova Scotia District, BMO Bank of Montreal, was beaming with pride after the day's activities. "Today was a beautiful celebration of the hard work and dedication of our participants, volunteers and sponsors," said Charlton. "It was an amazing day for an amazing cause right here at home in Nova Scotia. The energy and passion of all involved was contagious and we should all be proud of the impact we made."
Bust a Move individual participants and teams were sporting their outrageous, fun costumes as they danced and exercised their way to making a real difference to breast health in Nova Scotia. Bust a Move is a joint initiative of the QEII Foundation and IWK Foundation, and to date, funds raised by the Foundations in support of the Breast Health Centre total over $3.4 million.
This year's Bust a Move event is in support of the continued development of the Breast Health Centre, located at the IWK Health Centre. Funds will support renovations required to move diagnostic mammography from the QEII to the IWK, where the breast surgical clinics are located. The move will increase collaboration and efficiency and improve the overall experience for patients and families by eliminating the need to travel between buildings, particularly on surgery days.
Even though the event is over, general donations for Bust a Move will continue to be accepted until March 31st. For those looking to get a head start, registration is already open for next year's Bust a Move taking place on Saturday, March 23, 2013. The registration fee is waived until April 30th. Donations and registration can be done online at www.bustamove.ca.
About the QEII Foundation
Every day donors to the QEII Foundation change the lives of Atlantic Canadians who visit the QEII Health Sciences Centre for treatment. With their generosity, the Foundation is able to strengthen and advance health care to ensure loved ones receive the best care possible. Last year, the QEII Foundation raised over $15 million to fund research, professional education, equipment and technology, and community-based programs. These much needed funds supported primary care, such as treatment of chronic conditions, specialized care like heart surgery and cancer treatment, and the most advanced care such as organ transplantation. Gifts to the QEII Foundation have the power to make a difference for patients, now and in the future. Visit www.qe2foundation.ca to learn more.
About the IWK Foundation
The IWK Health Centre Foundation helps sustain excellence in specialized care at the IWK for all Maritime families. Last year, generous donors contributed over $10 million to the areas of greatest need at the IWK, including neonatal and pediatric intensive care, women's health and mental health services for children and youth. Funds raised also support world-renowned researchers and the purchase of modernized technology and equipment. Together with donors, the IWK Foundation supported more than 16,000 inpatient visits and nearly 300,000 outpatient and emergency room visits in one year. Visit www.iwkfoundation.org for more information.
For more information, please contact:
Tanya MacLean, director of communications, QEII Foundation, 489-5664
Sara Napier, director of marketing and communications, IWK Foundation, 222-5471
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