Anyone who has been to The Alaska Club recently may have noticed new — and eye-catching pink — displays at the front counters.
The fitness club is promoting National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. To raise awareness, the gym is inviting community members to attend fitness classes and to donate to Cancer Connection, a local nonprofit that assists cancer patients and their families.
“Learn new moves, get pumped to new music, raise funds for Juneau’s own Cancer Connection, and be sure to wear PINK!” reads an Alaska Club flier advertising the event.
Becky Thomas, The Alaska Club’s Group Fitness Manager, said the classes are open to gym members and non-members. Participants can donate to Cancer Connection at the classes.
This is the third year The Alaska Club has fundraised for Cancer Connection. Thomas met the current president of Cancer Connection, Ruth Johnson, and the office manager, Jody Schmitz, during her spinning class.
When asked about the first fundraiser, Schmitz said Thomas “wanted to do a fundraiser for us and has stuck to her guns every year after that.”
“Special kudos go to Becky for organizing this fundraiser,” Schmitz said. “Even though it says ‘The Alaska Club,’ Becky is the one trying to get it off the ground and make it grow bigger every year. She is a go-getter, and we greatly appreciate all of her efforts.”
The classes are being offered on Friday, Oct. 9, Saturday, Oct 10, Sunday, Oct. 11, and Saturday, Oct. 31. For a complete list of class times, call the Alaska Club in the valley at 789-2181 or the downtown location at 586-5773. (You can also stop by either of the two facilities to get more information.)
A few of the classes have a set fee, such as the Health & Wellness Seminar (12:15-1:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 in the valley) about changing your diet to prevent cancer. The Alaska Club is requesting $5 from members and $15 from non-members, all of which goes to Cancer Connection.
Similarly, the Kettle Bell Body Blast class (12:15-1:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, in the valley) asks for a $20 donation from members and nonmembers. That class also requires a reservation since there’s only enough seats for 12 participants.
For those who aren’t the gym-going types, you don’t have to break a sweat to donate to Cancer Connection. The Alaska Club is also selling pink cancer awareness shirts for $20 and bracelets for $15, supplied by Cancer Connection. Proceeds, again, go directly to Cancer Connection. You can also donate directly to Cancer Connection by visiting their website: www.cancerconnectionak.org.