Zumba-thon to raise funds for cancer patient

Friends of Emporia resident Keri Wilkie will use Latin Music to raise money for her battle against cancer during the Zumba-thon fundraiser from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday.

“This is a really busy time of the year,” said Amy Hayden, an organizer for the fundraiser and Zumba instructor at Emporia Fitness. “I know there is prom, soccer graduations and playgrounds to build. But I hope for two hours we can take time out of our busy schedules to shake, sweat and support Keri Wilkie’s fight against cancer.”

Wilkie is originally from Evansville, Ill. and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical therapy from Saint Louis University. She moved to Emporia in 2006 with her boyfriend Matt Martin, an Emporia State assistant football coach. Wilkie is employed by Emporia Physical Therapy.

At the age of 26, Wilkie was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. According to the Center for Disease Control, less than half of one percent of women under 30 has been diagnosed with breast cancer. That statistic alone made Wilkie’s situation unique. In early April she underwent a bilateral mastectomy and will have to face daily radiation for six weeks, eight rounds of intensive chemotherapy treatments and reconstructive surgeries.

In addition to cancer treatments, Wilkie has another medical procedure planned. Chemotherapy treatments often lead to infertility and many who are forced to undergo the therapy choose to freeze reproductive matter for future use. The procedure comes at a $10,000 price tag and is not covered by insurance. But with the chemo treatments shifting Wilkie’s body into early menopause, the time to decide to freeze her eggs is limited.

Organizers of the event have worked hard to generate financial help for Wilkie. Though they aren’t sure how many will attend, there has been a sizeable response from the community.

“I am receiving emails and phone calls from people I don’t even know telling me they are coming,” Hayden said. “I want to fill the gym wall to wall.”

Zumba, a Latin music-inspired workout, is the basis for Saturday’s event. Participants can donate $15 at the door or get others to sponsor them. Prizes will be awarded to the two most-highly sponsored participants.

Participation in the Zumba portion of the event is not required and people are encouraged to attend even if they do not plan on working out. Overall, organizers want to pack the house to help out this Emporia community member.

A raffle is also planned for the event, featuring prizes from local sponsors including the Flint Hills Mall, Tranquility Day Spa, Town Crier, the Sweet Granada and Emporia Fitness. Zumba-thon T-shirts benefiting the event have sold out but the organizers will have order forms for shirts at the event.

Donations can be made to the Keri Wilkie Breast Cancer Medical Fund or by contacting Hayden at (620)343-3459 or at zumbawithamy@sbcglobal.net.