Dance For Cause
Like to dance? Want to take lessons in salsa and tango? Here's an opportunity to cut a rug for a good cause. Mindy Mintz Mordecai's husband, John “Monte” Mordecai, died from esophageal cancer in March, and she and her two daughters have taken up the cause of public awareness of this form of the deadly disease. They're putting together a dance event to raise funds.
"More Americans will die of esophageal cancer this year than from melanoma, yet the public knows little about this deadly cancer and how to prevent it," Mindy writes. "Esophageal cancer cases are increasing at a faster rate than any other cancer in the U.S. Fewer than one in five patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer will survive five years. Heartburn or reflux can lead to esophageal cancer."
Mindy's family created a non-profit organization to fight esophageal cancer. Her 12-year-old, Mara, wanted to host a fundraising event that would raise money for medical research and incorporate her love of dance. So, on June 1, Mara and many volunteers will host the first annual Dance for the Cure at Towson University’s Center for the Arts.
From 10 am until 3 pm, participants of all ages and levels of experience can take classes in a wide variety of fun dance disciplines like salsa, hip hop, ballroom, swing, tango, Irish, Afro Caribbean and belly dancing. Baltimore’s own Britt Shubow, who danced on Broadway in Mamma Mia, will teach some Broadway hoofin'. Monte Mordecai’s surgeon, Dr. Stephen Yang of Johns Hopkins Hospital, is a ballroom dance aficionado and will teach a class, too.
During each of five hours, participants can choose from four different dance class offerings. Proceeds from the fees paid for classes, as well as any donations, will go to fund medical research into esophageal cancer and raise public awareness about how to prevent or detect this deadly disease at an early stage.
