Why are you Bustin' a Move?

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.

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 13^th 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. 

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.