HAVERFORD, PA. June 23, 2011 – Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) has named Washington, DC as the first city outside Philadelphia to host the organization’s signature fundraising event. Yoga on the Steps: Washington, DC will take place Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Freedom Plaza and at the JW Marriott Hotel Pennsylvania Avenue.
“Working with a volunteer consultant, the LBBC staff and Board of Directors evaluated a number of cities across the country to serve as the first location in our national expansion plan for Yoga on the Steps,” says Jean Sachs, MSS, MLSP CEO of Living Beyond Breast Cancer. “We’re thrilled to announce that we have selected Washington, DC based on a number of important factors that include the support of our constituents who reside in the Washington area, our sponsors, the Washington, DC media and the National Park Service.”
Living Beyond Breast Cancer introduced Yoga on the Steps in 2002 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Since then, the event has evolved into one of the country’s largest outdoor yoga classes and one of LBBC’s most important fundraising efforts. This year in Philadelphia, participants raised over $250,000 by asking their family, friends and colleagues to support LBBC and the work that the organization does for women across the country affected by breast cancer. “It was a way for women affected by breast cancer and their supporters to come together in a show of solidarity while experiencing the healing benefits of yoga,” explains Jeanne Marren Egan, LBBC’s Special Events Manger.
Yoga on the Steps: Washington, DC has an ambitious fundraising goal of $50,000. The event will be similar to the event hosted in Philadelphia every third Sunday in May. However, there will be unique components that will make the DC event more defined in relation to the specific area.
“We’ll begin on Freedom Plaza with a one-hour yoga class that has been designed for all levels - anyone can participate. After the class, we’ll move across the street to the JW Marriott where event participants will enjoy breakfast and a Healthy Living Expo featuring products and services that promote health and wellness, local area non-profit organizations and yoga studios.
We’ll also provide special gifts for participants. Being a former Washingtonian myself, I’m confident Yoga on the Steps will be a great addition to the DC community events calendar and allow LBBC to further its commitment to local area women affected by breast cancer,” Egan continues.
Sachs concurs with Egan’s comments. “In the current economic climate, LBBC depends on the support of the grassroots fundraising efforts of our event participants more than ever before. Their hard work collecting contributions enables us to increase the awareness and capacity of our services and helps provide educational and support programs to tens of thousands of women affected by breast cancer at little or no cost.”
People who are interested in additional information or who want to register as an individual, team captain or member of an existing team should visit yogaonthesteps.org or contact Jeanne Egan at (610) 645-4567.
Yoga on the Steps is presented nationally by Novartis Oncology and Unite for Her.
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Founded in 1991, Living Beyond Breast Cancer is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life regardless of educational background, social support or financial means. Programs and services include an educational website, lbbc.org; a toll-free Survivors’ Helpline, (888) 753-LBBC (5222); national conferences; free teleconferences; networking programs; quarterly newsletters; publications for medically underserved women; healthcare-provider trainings; recordings and the Paula A. Seidman Library and Resource Center.
