What a Party!

In case you haven't heard, there were a lot of people bubbling with excitement at the Prince George Hotel last Thursday evening. We called the event a participant recruitment rally, but what we really should have called it was a party!

Picture music, mood lighting, balloons, flowers, food, and lots of laughs! We had 90+ attendees and we're pretty confident they all told at least one other person about the fun they had. That's because our fitness instructors had everyone on their feet, partaking in 90-second samples of each of the six hours of exercise being planned for January 30th.

This included some relaxation poses from the yoga hour....

Recreation of the flash mob routine to the hip hop song "Bust a Move", sampling the Empower Hour

(this song has become our unofficial anthem, by the way)....

And even some high energy, hip shaking Zumba moves.

If the enthusiasm of this crowd was any indication, we really are going to blow the roof off the Metro Centre on January 30th.

Hard to believe that's exactly two months from today, isn't it?! We have 367 men and women registered so far and are positive we're going to crest 500 in the next couple of weeks. That's going to be one massive, record-breaking exercise class!!

We'll continue to register participants up until mid-January and can take up to 1,000 people, so keep spreading the word.

Here's to being two months away from making Nova Scotia history - CHEERS!

Participant Perspective

Recently, I had a chance to ask a few Bust a Move participants why they were taking on the challenge.

Here's what they said:

A big thanks to Audrey Kralovec, Wendy Vandervaart and Carol Ann Fullerton!

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By Laura, from the Bust a Move team

You're Invited

If you haven't already signed up to participate in Bust a Move, please join us this Thursday evening, November 26th for a Bust a Move Participant Rally.

There will be fabulous door prizes, brief presentations about exciting aspects of the event, and of course snacks and refreshments for all.

Find out what makes Bust a Move such an amazing opportunity to unite in support of world class breast health services, then make your commitment to get involved!

Thursday, November 26th at 6:30 p.m.

Windsor Room, Prince George Hotel

1725 Market Street, Halifax

Please RSVP to jill@bustamove.ca

Ditch the Workout...

....Join the Party!

This is Zumba's tagline and, as I found out Friday night, there couldn't be a more accurate description of this one-of-a-kind workout. From 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. at the YMCA on South Park St., I participated in a mega Zumba class that was open to the public.

I arrived having heard about the Zumba craze, of course, and having been told that a Zumba hour as part of Bust a Move is a must have. I can believe the hype....but to really buy in to it, I had to see it for myself. And see it I did. Plain and simple, Zumba will Rock Your World.

The crowd of 100 or so bopped, stomped, swayed and wiggled through those 90 minutes without a single moan, groan or glance at the clock. They clapped, cheered, hooted and hollered. And sweat?! Holy, this workout had everybody in there dripping in no time. But, again, without a single complaint! Instead, bums were out, hands were up, hips were gyrating. For one song, the room was split in half and a full fledged dance battle ensued.

The place looked like a dance club on a Saturday night, except the drink of choice was water and no one was worried about how cool or sexy they looked. They were there to shake their tail feathers and nothin' else mattered!

I have never seen anything like it...and I've been to a lot of fitness classes.

Now, as a bit of a disclaimer, I'll tell you that this class was led by two instructors from California, who were in Halifax for the weekend training some 80+ new Zumba instructors in all-day workshops. They ARE Zumba - you should see these two move! - and what they took the crowd through Friday night was a little more gruelling than the regular weekly classes at the Y, Dalplex or GoodLife Fitness.

But from what others tell me, those classes are a little more accessible and just as much fun!

If you like to dance or love a good beat, this is absolutely the workout for you! If you're like me and miss the days of bustin' a move on the dance floor every weekend but have outgrown that scene a little (or a lot), you must add Zumba to your life. I'm currently debating whether to buy the DVD collection or become a Y member just so I can Zumba multiple times a week!

I encourage you all to check out the Zumba website, look Zumba up on You Tube, or read this article from a few weeks ago, which proves the Zumba craze is alive and well right here in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Now what are you waiting for? Ditch the workout, join the party!

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Laura Melanson, member of the Bust a Move team

News Flash

Only 10 weeks to go before we unite for six hours of movin' and groovin' exercise at the Halifax Metro Centre...can you believe it?!

The Bust a Move team is so proud of everyone's fundraising efforts, we've decided to chip in a little somethin' extra to boost your spirits and renew your perseverance. We're happy to announce a new fundraising incentive program:

If you raise between $1,001 and $2,500...you'll be entered into a draw for a $500 gift card to Future Shop!

If you raise between $2,501 and $4,000...you'll be entered into a draw for a $1,000 gift card to Future Shop!

If you raise $4,001 or more...you'll be entered into a draw for a $1,500 gift card to Future Shop!

Remember, Future Shop has everything from CDs to iPod accessories, from laptops to printers, from digital cameras to kitchen appliances. And so much more! You can even use your gift card to shop online.

The incentive program will be based on the final tally of each individual's funds. Winners will be contacted the week of February 1, 2010.

A Sweet Fundraiser

A bake sale is a fairly traditional fundraising idea, right? It probably goes, I dunno, waaaay back. Well last week team Twin Peaks took baking for breast health to new heights.

For four hours, they set up an eye-catching, mouth-watering bake sale in the lobby of the BMO building on the corner of Hollis and George. There were cupcakes, cookies, squares, brownies. Single treats, double treats, trays of treats. Even a whole pan of Skor-inspired squares that for $10 would've made someone's weekend a whole lot more decadent. See them right on the end of the table, tempting you?

One team member even managed to make a few phone calls and secure a handful of lovely prizes that the team sold raffle tickets on.

Four hours later, team Twin Peaks was a whopping $830 closer to their fundraising goal! Some secrets to their success:

1. The bake sale was on a Friday, when people are probably a little more willing to indulge, and continued until after lunch, when dessert can be hard to resist!

2. A couple posters (which the BAM team will happily provide if you email us) and signs went a long way to making the set up colorful and attention-grabbing.

3. A bouquet of fuchsia and purple balloons didn't hurt either...two or three would do!

4. The sale was staffed by several Twin Peak-ers, who made a point to talk to every person who walked by and asked for their support with a smile.

By the Numbers

In the four weeks since the launch of Bust a Move for Breast Health, we’ve been crunching the numbers and wow, what a great story they tell!

• 478 Facebook group members and 50 wall posts to the group
• 139 followers on Twitter and hundreds of mentions of “bustamove”
• Videos of the BAM flash mob have been viewed more than 45,000 times – and that’s only counting the videos that are hosted on the BAM You Tube channel.
• The largest team of BAM participants so far is The Johnson Pointer Sisters – they have 20 registered members. Audrey's Rack Pack is at a close second with 17 members.
• The top fundraising team is the Foundation Busty Movers, they’ve raised more than $8,000.
• The top fundraising individual is Chris Power, she’s raised $2,650! Carol Ann Fullerton is a close second with $2,042.

It’s great to see Nova Scotians rally together for such an important cause! The stats on why it’s warranted tell their own story:

• 700 women in Nova Scotia are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.
• It accounts for 40% of cancer diagnoses and 25% of cancer-related deaths in this province.
• With just one digital mammography machine, technicians can complete up to 3,700 mammograms in a year.
• Compared to non-digital equipment, that's a 75% improvement in efficiency.
• This increased capacity is desperately needed because only 55% of Nova Scotia women over 50 are having regular mammograms.
• The national target is for this participation rate to be at least 70%.
• Studies show that after screening 70% of a total population the breast cancer deaths will decrease by 30%.
• Images produced with digital equipment are so clear, abnormalities only millimeters in size can be seen, all while using 40% less radiation.

Thanks to everyone for their amazing support so far!
The Bust a Move Team

We Need YOU

Six members of the Bust a Move team recently spent the afternoon in a CTV studio putting together a personal appeal for our fellow Nova Scotians. Listen in on what the team has to say:

The purchase of one new digital mammography machine will increase capacity by 75%, allowing 3,700 more women to be screened in the run of a year. Digital screening of breast tissue allows for the early detection of breast cancer. Early detection saves lives.

Bust a Move represents an opportunity to make a big difference in our small corner of the world. Opportunities like that don't come along every day. If you haven't already signed up to be a participant, please do so. Then encourage two people you know to join you.

Worried about raising $1,000?

This week, I'll introduce a number of people who were pleasantly surprised when they raised hundreds of dollars in a matter of days. You won't know it's possible until you try....and the Bust a Move team is here to support you along the way.

Worried about exercising for six hours?
Saturday, January 30th will be a day of entertainment, fun, laughter, and unity. You can take breaks when you need them and go at your own pace. We're asking you to be active - however best you can - for one day on behalf of the hundreds of women around the province who are fighting breast cancer right now and can't.

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- Laura, member of the Bust a Move team

The one, the only...

In case you're wondering whether Richard Simmons is still as energetic, enthusiastic and just plain over the top as you remember him being in the 80s, check out this clip of him making his entrance on David Letterman! We can not wait too see him bust a move with us at the Halifax Metro Centre on January 30th!

Seeing this in person might even be reason enough to sign up as participant...never mind the prizes, excitment, groovin', shakin' and Guinness record-breakin' we already have in store.

Keep Your Eye on the Bright Spots

As promised, we're happy to introduce the first contribution from guest writer (and BAM ambassador!) That Bloomin' Neville:

I see all sorts of emotions here in our Flower Shop. I’ve seen the joy in a persons’ face after becoming a grandmother for the first time, the excitement of a Bride-to-be, and the sadness brought on by the loss of a loved one.

One of the most powerful things I have had the privilege of experiencing is seeing and feeling the strength and determination that comes from a breast cancer fighter. Wow, if we could only harness it, that energy could save the world!

I remember vividly the day I sat with a young lady to talk about her wedding flowers. The date was bumped up, and since she was so excited, I started to assume she was expecting a child…not so, she was expecting to lose her hair. She had just started getting her head around having surgery, chemo, and all that goes with it. The thing that stood out for me was how positive she was! She was having nothing to do with all the negativity surrounding what was to come and was totally focusing on all the good in life. She, truly, was the most beautiful Bride I had ever met.

She passed away some time after her wonderful wedding. I am SO thankful that our paths had crossed, and am thankful for this incredible opportunity. She knew things weren’t great, at least SOME things weren’t, and chose to focus on what was wonderful!

There is ALWAYS something good out there, we just have to look for it sometimes.
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Let us know: what bright spots in your life are you focusing on today?

Lucky Us!

November has gotten off to a great start for the BAM team - we've been delighted and energized this week by the involvement of yet another remarkable Haligonian who has stepped up to support our cause. Neville MacKay, of My Mother's Bloomers fame, has built up quite a fan base by using laughter, positivity and beautiful blooms to brighten the days of everyone he encounters.

At our first in-person meeting, Neville lived up to his reputation in no time! I was greeted with a beaming smile, a big squeeze and a bouquet. If only every meeting started that way!

Over a coffee for me and a tea for him we covered off on our latest movie-going experiences, the importance of online community-building, and the ways in which he'll be supporting BAM. Of course, he also entertained me with a few stories and anecdotes, including one about the time he created many, many breast-like mounds as centerpieces for a breast cancer event.

Breast cancer is a cause Neville cares a heck of a lot about. And lucky for us, that means he's happy to help make BAM a success by sharing his laughter, positivity and blooms with all of us.

For starters, he'll be featured here as a guest blogger and will provide a beautiful arrangement or two for us to feast our eyes on at the Metro Centre come January 30th. But the most exciting news is that one of the prizes BAM participants will have an opportunity to win will be A Night With Neville (and David)!

This special evening for a group of up to 20 people will include:

• Neville giving you a How-to lesson in the latest trends in floral design
• The guitar and vocal talents of David MacFarlane
• Neville and David telling stories, sharing experiences and making you laugh 'till it hurts
• And of course, flowers for everyone in attendance!

So the lucky winner will get to celebrate their BAM accomplishments by bringing a group together to enjoy wine, snacks and these two charming fellows. What fun! Not to mention, this is a prize valued at over $3,000!  

A great kick-start to the month indeed...we hope you're as excited to welcome Neville to the BAM family as we are! :-)

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Neville keeps busy with writing for Duly Noted and Lifestyle Maritimes, motivational speaking, entering and judging floral competitions, being featured on C100 and on CTV's Breakfast Television, and giving back to the community.

No One Said Trailblazing Was Easy

Over the last two weeks, the energy and enthusiasm around Bust a Move has grown exponentially. Everyone involved is thrilled to see the buzz spreading like wildfire; you should be too! This event is going to be a first for our region. It is going to change lives and save lives, in just one day.

Every dollar raised is going directly to the cause, plain and simple. The significance of that? We're going to purchase new digital mammography equipment, like the one you see here.

Each machine costs $750,000. No, I didn't add an extra zero by mistake. The truth is, we have a big wallet to fill before we can buy this equipment. But the energy everyone will put into reaching their fundraising goals will be worth it.

The equipment we buy will be used to complete 3,700 mammograms each year. That's a 75% improvement in efficiency over what older, analog machines are capable of. It means that your mom, sister, best friend, even you, could benefit from a shorter wait time for a screening appointment.

And it gets better.

Every woman who is screened using this leading edge equipment has more of a fighting chance against breast cancer. It produces images so clear, abnormailities in breast tissue can be seen when they are only millimetres in size. And since early detection is the only thing proven to reduce breast cancer mortality rates, we're challenging you - and ourselves - to fundraise like never before. And you've already stepped up.

Within the last week, one participant reached her target in four days! Another raised $800 by tapping into his online network alone, while one team set a recruitment target of 25 members! Inspirational stories from people going above and beyond what they've ever done before are starting to pour in, and we promise to continue to share them with you. 

Is a $1,000 fundraising target easy? Heck no. But can we all do it? You betcha!