Yoga Studio Inspired By Women's Breast Cancer Fights

NEW PORT RICHEY - Lisa Henke has survived breast cancer. Twice. So has Anne Buccieri.

Deborah Dube walked the 60-mile Breast Cancer 3-Day last year while in remission.

Those women have a connection with Harmony Yoga & Pilates Studio of Trinity. Their battling spirit has inspired the studio's operators to host 60 minutes of cardio dancing this morning to benefit breast cancer research.

The first Dancing For The Cure starts the sweating portion of the program at 10 a.m., followed at 11 a.m. by food and prize giveaways. The event is at Deer Park Elementary School's cafeteria, 8636 Trouble Creek Road, New Port Richey.

Admission is a $20 tax-deductible contribution to Susan G. Komen For The Cure, known as the world's largest grass-roots network of breast cancer survivors and activists.

Henke is one of several Harmony Yoga students who have survived or are fighting breast cancer. Studio employees found out she had overcome malignancies in 1999 and 2001.

"She defied medical reason the second time around, making a miraculous recovery," studio owners Anne Bromberg and Michelle Dumovich said in an e-mail. "The experience taught her that, despite the difficulty of the journey through breast cancer, she would live life to the fullest and share God's grace and love to help others. Her passion became finding a cure."

Henke bested all other survivors in the 2006 Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure, the e-mail said. The next year, she placed second behind a mother of three who crossed the finish line and ran into her children's arms.

"She views breast cancer as a gift that has made her grow as a person in spirit, compassion and love," the e-mail said of Henke.

Along with strongly supporting the Komen organization, Henke volunteers to help cancer patients understand the treatment process and offers her support.

Dumovich's mother, Buccieri, is a grandmother of five and another two-time survivor. She said cancer "can be beaten with the right attitude and determination."

Dube's family will walk the 3-Day again this year. The clan includes daughter Tara Buananno, who leads spinning (indoor cycling) classes at Harmony studio.

"It can be a helpless feeling watching someone you care for battle cancer," Dumovich's and Bromberg's e-mail said. "As a result, we decided to take action. We have always dreamed of bringing our Harmony family together to make a difference for a charity.

"The idea for Dancing For The Cure was born in February. After that, everything seemed to easily fall into place."

During the 60-minute session, "we will teach an easy salsa and Zumba dance class with top teachers from all over the Tampa area that have volunteered their time. Ballroom couple Daria and Nelson Mendez, who have done choreography for several Broadway shows, offered to teach the basic steps of salsa," the e-mail said.

Harmony's studio can accommodate 20 people comfortably; 50 registered the first week.

Today's goal is to fill the Deer Park cafeteria to capacity - 100 people - and bring in $10,000 for the exercise hour.

Thirty-six small businesses donated money and prizes for the giveaways. Landon Plastic Surgery, Radiology Associates and MacKinnon Jewelers pledged $1,000 each as platinum sponsors.

"As planning progressed we had a unique idea that would set this event apart from all others. We realized not only could we donate the money to the charity but we could also help local individuals walking the Breast Cancer 3-Day," the e-mail continued. "Each person walking needs to raise $2,500. We selected 10 people and set a goal of giving them $1,000 each towards their walking account.

"We are just two girls that want to show that with passion, compassion and prayer, two people can make a difference," Harmony's owners conclude in their e-mail. "This is our small offering to give back in hopes of getting our community one step closer to finding a cure."

For more on the event, go to www.harmonyyogastudio .com.