Zumba for an Important Cause

Do you remember what you were doing when you were 19? Looking forward to all that lay ahead of you. Going to college. Thinking about a career. Grabbing coffee with friends and planning your weekend. Do you remember then, when the toughest fight you had to worry about was scoring tickets to see your favorite band.

Nineteen year old Kaylee Church of Ocean Isle Beach has those same hopes, dreams, and

plans, but her fight is a little tougher than worrying about tickets to a show. Kaylee was recently diagnosed with a rare form of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Sjögren's syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease. In autoimmune diseases the body produces autoantibodies that attack its normal cells of certain glands. When attacked, these glands cannot release their normal secretions and can cause various symptoms like dry eyes and dry mouth, but can also effect the lungs, kidneys, nervous system and lymph glands.

Complications of Sjögren's Syndrome can also include Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (sometimes called NHL, or just lymphoma) is a cancer that starts in cells called lymphocytes, which are part of the body’s immune system. Lymphocytes are in the lymph nodes and other lymphoid tissues (such as the spleen and bone marrow).

Kaylee’s near future will be filled with doctor’s appointments and treatment plans, but she and her family are ready for the fight. And the community can help in that fight as well.

On Saturday, March 21st, from 2:00-4:00 pm, Movement Works is hosting a Zumbathon for Kaylee! A donation will get you in the party. Join the spunky and motivational Barbie Milliken Kinlaw as she leads this Zumba for a Cause party. So grab your friends, bring your laughs and moves, and come workout for Kaylee. Any donation amount is much appreciated.