Health & Fitness in Action
- Dance for the Cure
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Welcome to our Series on Fundraisers
Throughout the month of June we'll be publishing a weekly article highlighting the creative and fun ways that businesses and individuals find to support Dance for the Cure.
Fitness classes, dance programs, and training communities are built around encouragement, support, and showing up for one another. Those same qualities are often on display when these organizations decide to support a cause that matters to them.
Over the years, many health and fitness organizations have partnered with Dance for the Cure through fundraisers, donation drives, special events, and awareness campaigns. Their efforts have raised funds for local breast cancer patients while bringing members together for a shared purpose.
Today, we're highlighting several organizations whose support continues to make a difference.
Fairleigh Dickinson Dance Project
The Fairleigh Dance Project is an award-winning student-run social issues dance company at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Florham Campus in Madison, New Jersey.
In 2026, the organization donated $491 to Dance for the Cure from proceeds raised through its annual Spring Showcase. The student-led group welcomes more than 30 members and provides opportunities for students of all majors and experience levels to explore dance through choreography, performance, and creative expression.
The Dance Project selected Dance for the Cure as one of the beneficiaries of this year's showcase, with proceeds supporting local breast cancer patients.
Dance for the Cure volunteers Sally Stevenson and Carole Longo attended the performance and accepted the donation on behalf of the organization.
What makes efforts like this especially inspiring is that students are learning how their talents can be used to support causes they care about. A performance that already brings people together can also create a positive impact beyond the stage.
The MAX Challenge
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, General Manager Jennifer Tara organized a month-long fundraiser at The MAX Challenge.
The fundraiser included a silent auction, special event merchandise, a donation-based fitness class, and other breast cancer awareness activities. Kathleen Cirioli visited the group and shared information about Dance for the Cure and the local patients who benefit from its programs following one of the workout sessions.
Together, the effort raised $1,026.
One of the strengths of fitness communities is the relationships that develop among members. The MAX Challenge created multiple opportunities for participants to get involved, allowing members to support local breast cancer patients while doing something they already enjoy. Jennifer and her team hope to continue their relationship with Dance for the Cure in the future.
Club Pilates
Throughout October, Club Pilates locations in Montgomery, Bridgewater, Flemington, and Princeton collected donations in support of Dance for the Cure.
Owners Karen and Todd Spidare took the fundraiser a step further by matching the donations collected across all four studios.
Together, the campaign generated an impressive $6,330 for local breast cancer patients.
Matching campaigns are a wonderful example of how business owners can amplify the generosity of their members. Every donation made by participants carried twice the impact, creating a fundraising effort that united four studio communities around a common goal.
SETS Hybrid Training
Dennis Spinelli and Nicole Trapasso, co-owners of SETS Hybrid Training in Green Brook, organized a fundraiser that raised $1,100 for Dance for the Cure.
The couple donated items, engaged members of the SETS community, and organized a mini basket raffle to support the effort.
Dennis and Nicole learned about Dance for the Cure through Lisa Sabo and wanted to support a cause that helps local families facing breast cancer.
As Dennis and Nicole describe it, SETS is a community-driven fitness facility built around helping people of all ages move, grow, and thrive. That same community spirit was evident in their fundraiser as members came together to support neighbors facing difficult circumstances.
Their fundraiser is another reminder that support often begins with a personal connection and grows when a community rallies behind it.
Jazzercise
For the eighth consecutive year, Amy Lewandowski, owner and instructor of Jazzercise Hillsborough and East Brunswick, hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser benefiting Dance for the Cure.
This year's event raised $622 through special fundraising activities held at both locations.
Long-running partnerships like this are especially meaningful because they demonstrate how small annual efforts can add up over time. Amy and her members have built a tradition of supporting local breast cancer patients, and their continued commitment has made a lasting impact.
The energy and enthusiasm that make Jazzercise classes so popular are the same qualities that have helped sustain this fundraiser year after year.
The organizations featured here each found their own way to help—from student performances and donation-based classes to matching campaigns, raffles, and annual awareness events.
Together, they show that fundraising can grow naturally from the communities we already belong to. A fitness class, dance performance, workout group, or training facility can become a place where people come together for a cause and create support for local breast cancer patients along the way.
Dance for the Cure is deeply grateful to the organizations, instructors, business owners, students, and participants who continue finding ways to give back. Their generosity helps provide financial assistance to local breast cancer patients throughout Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties.
Are you or someone you know struggling due to a breast cancer diagnosis?
We would like to help. Please visit https://www.danceforthecure.org/get-help
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