Hello friends and fans! I am thrilled to participate in Shimmyathon 2010 to help raise funds and awareness for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF)!

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States. A defective gene causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections. According to the CF Foundation's National Patient Registry, the median age of survival for a person with CF is only 36 years... and due in large part to the CFF's efforts, this is a huge improvement over previous survival rates. I have personally seen the effects of this terrible disease on one of my former students. This is one of the reasons why I feel compelled to do as much as I can to support the mission of the CFF. Since our original founding under our previous troupe leaders, my dance troupe has always been a part of Shimmyathon Atlanta. Some of us have been dancing together for many years and we plan to continue together upholding this tradition of leadership and social responsibility in the dance world.

Last year, over 40 dancers came together at Shimmyathon Atlanta and despite the economy being down, raised over 12,000 dollars bringing the Shimmyathon combined years grand total to over 80,000 dollars! This year we are working to raise over 20,000 dollars, bringing Shimmyathon's grand total to over 100,000 dollars raised for CFF to help fight this terrible disease. Thanks to generous community donations and support for this project, including free locations, donated prizes, and many tireless volunteers' untold hours of work, 100% of your sponsorship donation will go directly to the CFF to work for a cure and to help treat those who are suffering from this terrible disease. The CFF is a non-profit organization and over 90 cents of every dollar goes directly to help treat and find a cure for CF.

To make a donation online, just click the link below marked "Click Here"! To learn more about this disease, the event or to participate with me or buy tickets to the show, please check out the web site: www.shimmyathon.com Or call or email me directly to personally sponsor me, buy ad space from Shimmyathon, or buy show tickets.

Thanks again for sponsoring me in the Shimmyathon Atlanta!

<3 Bela Z.

Last year's final update: THANKS TO YOU, MY FRIENDS AND FANS, I'VE RAISED OVER $100 for Shimmyathon 2009 between online and in-person cash donations! But don't stop here! Many thanks to everyone who donated so far: Bobby, Debra C., Elaine M., Karen S., Judy M., Rosemary (Mom), Yvonne, Mary R., and Benny!