Abington Club Hosts Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Fundraiser

The Abington Club, a family-owned-and-operated fitness organization, will hold a Zumbathon, April 6, to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The event will be held at the Abington Club, located at 300 Meetinghouse Road in Jenkintown, in its Studio B, starting at noon.

“We’re a health club,” Seasun Zieger, Abington Club fitness director, said. “We’re raising money the best way we know how.”

Zieger said that the Abington Club has participated with fundraising events in the past, such as its Ladies Night event, which benefited the Breathing Room Foundation, an Abington-based organization whose mission is to support families who have a member suffering from cancer. According to Zieger, last year’s Abington Club Ladies Night attracted nearly 400 participants, and raised thousands of dollars for the organization.

Its upcoming Zumbathon fundraising event also has a Ladies Night connection.

According to Zeiger, Abington Club aerobics instructor Cindy Russ later approached a Ladies Night vendor, asking to help with fundraising efforts for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Russ said that she is a good friend with the vendor, Suzie Meller, whose daughter, Karli, a 14-year-old Abington Junior High School student, was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma eight months ago.

“I felt like I needed to contribute to an amazing cause,” Russ said.

According to Russ, since her diagnosis, Karli and her mother have been active in fundraising and raising cancer awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which is dedicated to research and improving the lives of patients with blood cancers.

Russ said, as of last week, Karli has been cancer-free after her treatments.

A 12-year Abington Club member and second year Zumba instructor, Russ brought the idea of volunteering one of her Zumba classes as a fundraising event to Zeiger, who readily agreed.

The event will be a one-hour Zumba class, with no experience necessary.

Zumba is a choreographed, Latin-inspired dance, focusing on cardiovascular and strength exercises.

“It’s a high-energy, calorie-burning dance party for all ages,” Russ explained.

While the class is free to Abington Club members, the Zumbathon event is open to both the members and the public, and a minimum $10 donation is suggested for participation of this class. Registration is not needed, and walk-ins will be welcomed.

Lunch will also be offered at the Abington Club’s restaurant, The Wet Whistle, and Zumbathon participants will receive 20-percent off of their meal.

For more information, visit www.abingtonclub.com or call 215-885-0734.