“Party in Purple” Zumbathon Electrified Relay for Life of Mission Viejo!- Margot Ferron

The exhilarating rush of more than 25,  Zumba instructors from Yorba Linda to San Clemente descended on Mission Viejo Friday, April 19 for the first-ever “Party in Purple”  Zumbathon for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Mission Viejo.

Ilknur Erbas-White and Luisa Ramos, co-captains for team “Volunteers for Life,” coordinated the event, that delivered a fitness party that may have been the greatest dance event to ever hit Mission Viejo.

People from every walk of life danced with the incomparable energy that can only be found in Zumba.  “Not only is it a great workout, but Zumba is a family of people coming together to support a great cause.  We can make a difference by raising money and fighting cancer.” said Erbas-White.

“Party in Purple”  Zumbathon, was a spectacular, explosion of color, music and dance featuring Zumba instructors dressed in vibrant purples dancing in sync to various Latin and international rhythms.

For 2 ½ hours, Zumba instructors led nearly 200 participants to many hip shaking, body rocking hits including “Get it Started,” “Move Ya Body,” “Shake It,” “Sexy and I know It,” and “Don’t Stop the Party.”  Some of the instructors were Nikki Sobek, Sylvia Velasquez, Elena Vasilchikova, Fita Christensen, Daron Guluzyan, Susan Boudet, Suzy Diaz, Lorena Boaz-- just to mention a few.  

The massive event included a shopping extravaganza, food and boundless opportunity drawings.   Numerous volunteers from Capistrano Valley High School Key Club, Mission Viejo Activities Committee and committee members from Relay for Life assisted in the success of this event that raised more than $2,000 for the American Cancer Society.

This week is National Volunteer Appreciation Week.   We salute you and thank the many volunteers who have made Relay a success, year after year.

So Mission Viejo, if you have never experienced Zumba, then do yourself a favor and join us at Saddleback College,  28000 Marguerite Pkwy, MV, CA 92692 on June 1 for Relay for Life.    You can have fun while raising funds to help fight against cancer, remember loved ones we have lost and honor survivors.

For more information or to register for the event go to www.mvrelay.org or call the American Cancer Society at 949/567-0625.  If you have any questions regarding our endeavors, please call Margot Ferron at 949/309-1235, gomargotgo@aol.com.