Everyone has a reason for why they're participating in Bust a Move. For many, it's because they've known someone with breast cancer, or realize that breast cancer is a threat for all women. For others, like Suzanne Renaud, it's because Bust a Move is about being healthy and taking care of your own health. What you're about to read is Suzanne's story about the difference Bust a Move has made in her life.
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| Suzanne at Bust a Move 2010. |
My name is Suzanne Renaud. I am 44 years old and after being a smoker for over 27 years, I am excited to say that Bust a Move gave me the inspiration I needed and the courage I lacked to quit smoking.
I first learned about Bust a Move one morning in early November while watching Breakfast Television. After learning what it was all about and who would be highlighting the event – Richard Simmons - I knew I had to be there. I called my sister all excited and told her that if she joined Bust a Move with me I would quit smoking. She said that if it got me to stop smoking she would do it. So I jumped on the website, quickly scanned all the information and paid my $25.00. I all but ran out the door to work because I couldn’t wait to share my great news – I was going to finally quit smoking. That whole day I remember feeling empowered, like I was doing something great.
Then December came and so did the self-doubt. What was I thinking; I couldn’t take part in Bust a Move. My sister seemed unwilling to commit and there was no way I could do this on my own. How was I going to get to Halifax – I don’t drive in the city and I didn’t want to ask my husband to spend his Saturday alone in a hotel room taking care of our very enthusiastic Golden Retriever. How was I going to raise $1,000 – I couldn’t ask my friends when we were constantly discussing the dwindling economy and inflated prices; they couldn’t afford to buy Christmas let alone sponsor me. Who even cared if I quit smoking? It was decided, I was not quitting smoking.
By the tenth of January I was still smoking; I had not made any arrangements to get to Halifax, and I hadn't even collected a dollar of the one thousand needed to participate in Bust a Move. At the same time, the ads for Bust a Move were everywhere - every time I turned on the TV there was another ad for Bust a Move - the “must do event of the year”. Wasn’t I going to do that – what happened to the determination I had had in November?
Then on the 13th of January there was an ad on ATV – Live at 5 that they were going to do an interview with Marie Mullally - the volunteer Event Chair of Bust a Move. I was still very interested in Bust a Move and wanted to see what it was that I would be missing. After watching the interview and listening to Marie speak passionately about what can be achieved by staying motivated, focused, and positive, I had regained my resolve to quit smoking; all those great feelings of empowerment I felt in November had returned. To me, it was not about breast cancer or raising money for a digital mammography machine – both of which are extremely important – but about me finally quitting smoking. I WAS going to do this! I took my dog for a long walk that night and mentally wrote a letter and made a list of the people I could e-mail and call in order to raise $1,000.00. I also thought that if I was going to do this, and I was, then I had to quit smoking ASAP.
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| Suzanne snoozing with her dog the morning after Bust a Move. |
When I got out of bed the next morning, I threw my cigarettes in the stove and said to myself (out loud), “Sue, you can do this.” I then went on my Facebook site and posted that I was celebrating Day 1 as a Non-smoker so that I could participate in Bust a Move at the end of the month. Soon after posting this to my status, the e-mails started pouring in, offering words of praise and encouragement. And then, the greatest e-mail of all arrived - “Congratulations, you have just received a donation.” At this point there was no turning back. Whether or not I gained 200 pounds from overeating, or had a heart attack from exorbitant amounts of exercise and/or stress, I was committed.
I ended up raising $1,310.00 and made it through the whole 6 hours of exercise without coughing or gasping for breath. Although I did not meet Richard Simmons, I did receive a very nice e-mail from him, which I go back and re-read quite often.
170 days later, I still talk to myself, I still crave cigarettes, but most of all, I am still extremely grateful to Bust a Move for changing my life! I'm looking forward to returning to Halifax in March to celebrate my 1-year Anniversary as a Non-smoker with Bust a Move.
Why are you participating in Bust a Move? Share your story in the comments field.
Join the movement. Dance with Paula Abdul. Get involved. Get active. Get sweaty. As some would say… Bust a Move! Registering early for Bust a Move 2011 and increasing your fundraising goal can have some super benefits…read on for details! 
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