TENAFLY, NJ — January 8th, 2013 — Valley Stream resident Dawn Cresser is hosting an evening of ZUMBA, the fitness craze that combines Latin and International music and dance with a fun a calorie-burning workout, to benefit the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation (CCF).  Pediatric Cardiomyopathy is a chronic, incurable heart disease and the leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest in the young.  

The event will be held at The American Legion in Valley Stream on Saturday, January 12, 7:00-11:00p.m.  Donna, the popular zumba instructor from Synergy Fitness of Franklin Square, will be leading the activities.  In addition to zumba, raffles and light refreshments will be available.  Donation/Admission is $20.00 per person.  

An estimated 30,000 children in the United States are living with cardiomyopathy, including Dawn’s 12-year-old daughter. It is believed that there are just as many undiagnosed children at risk of sudden cardiac arrest.  However, relatively few people are aware of this potentially life-threatening disease.  Increasing awareness and getting more children with cardiomyopathy properly diagnosed and treated is a priority for CCF, a national organization founded by New Jersey mom Lisa Yue, who lost two sons to cardiomyopathy.

“I am really looking forward to the event,” says Dawn.  “My father passed away due to dilated cardiomyopathy at age 49, and now my daughter Amber has the disease.  I also lost an infant son to cardiomyopathy, and I have recently been diagnosed with a form of it.  I wanted to be able to do something to help raise money to help find a cure for this horrible disease that has affected my family so much.  I know that by supporting CCF, I’m supporting the only national organization that helps children with all forms of the disease.”   

In addition to continuing to fund important research studies and supporting families affected by cardiomyopathy, CCF is actively working on passage of the Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Risk Assessment and Training in the Schools (HEARTS) Act, which will increase awareness of cardiomyopathy and the risk of sudden cardiac arrest among parents, schools and health professionals.

“Fundraising events organized by our families are so special to our Foundation as they come straight from the heart,” says Lisa Yue, CCF president and founder. “We greatly appreciate the efforts of the Cresser family, as well as everyone helping them to organize and run such a wonderful event on our behalf.”

About The Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation

The Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation (CCF) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to finding causes and cures for pediatric cardiomyopathy.  CCF started in 2002 with one family’s determination to call attention to this poorly understood heart disease and to take action on the lack of medical progress and public awareness.  Since then, CCF has grown into a global community of families, physicians and scientists focused on improving diagnosis, treatment and quality of life for children affected by cardiomyopathy, and has committed more than $1.8 million to research and treatment initiatives.

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For More Information, Please Contact:
Joanne Bloomstein
866-808-2873 ext. 903
jbloomstein@childrenscardiomyopathy.org