UF students will raise money for a chronic disease through dance Sunday.
End Endo UF will hold its first Zumbathon event at the Straughn Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension at the Professional Development Center, Room A. While students try Zumba, they’ll learn about endometriosis, a disorder in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus and is one of the top three causes of infertility, according to the event’s Facebook page.
Students can register for $7 in advance or at the event for $10, said Monica Moore, the president of End Endo UF, a club that educates people about endometriosis. There will also be yoga classes and performances from No Southern Accent, a UF a cappella group and Theatre Strike Force, UF’s premier improvisation and sketch group.
The UF microbiology and cell science sophomore said she started planning the event in March 2015 after attending the Greater Gator Conference, which encourages freshmen to get involved on campus.
Moore, who has endometriosis, said she has always been passionate about finding a way to end the disease. She wants students to learn about sexual health disorders.
“A lot of people don’t like to talk about sexual health issues, so I think this is going to help break that barrier,” the 20-year-old said.
She chose Zumba, a dance fitness program that incorporates Latin music for an aerobic workout, because it is her favorite way to workout, she said.
Laura Laufer, a UF business marketing sophomore, also suffers from endometriosis. She said she is relieved the event is bringing attention to endometriosis.
“It’s nice to finally have an event to recognize a disease that is usually ignored,” the 20-year-old said.
Moore said the amount raised will be announced at the end of the event. She’s hoping to raise about $500.
“The closing ceremony is going to be so humbling, because we are going to see the impact that we have on endometriosis,” she said.
