Chattanooga's first ever Pink Diamond Zumbathon to benefit the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation is this Saturday. Last year there were over a quarter million cases of invasive breast cancer diagnosed in women in the United States; of those, about 40,000 died. The Susan G. Komen foundation, the largest of its kind, operates out of the fact that education coupled with self-awareness is the key to keeping this killer in check.

The Pink Diamond Zumbathon will be at Hamilton Place Mall on the center stage from 10 a.m. to noon, and registration is only $20, just over the price of some Zumba classes. Pre-registration begins at 9:30 near the stage and a bright pink tee shirt is included in the registration fee, as well as a chance to do something good at the same time as you get your workout on. You can also pre-register at the downtown YMCA, the Hamilton Place YMCA or online at www.ymcachattanooga.com.

A win-win-win, you'll get your heart rate way up (you'll be seriously sweat soaked), you will never have such a fun workout (grinning through the 'glow') and you'll do something seriously beneficial for humanity. How does that compare to lazing around on the sofa Saturday morning, drinking too much coffee.

Spearheaded by Zumba instructor extraordinaire Antonio McMath, Zumbathons have been done successfully in other cities but the this is a first for Chattanooga. "They have Zumbathons all the time in major cities like Miami and New York. The mall is a great place because it's inside, so it will go on despite the weather!" Antonio says.

Inspired by one of his Zumba students who is battling breast cancer, Antonio is determined to fight this disease every way he can. "I did the warm up for the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure, and knew as soon as I saw all those survivors out there fighting and participating I wanted to do more," Antonio says. The YMCA is sponsoring the event, and Antonio as well as Ana Ortiz and Christy Barnes will be leading the two hour class.

Don't worry if you've never done Zumba, fear you have two left feet or aren't partial to dancing in a room full of strangers. It doesn't matter! "This is the perfect time for beginners," he says. "You don't have to dance the whole time, and we start out with a warm up that shows the basic steps," he says. "We are expecting many breast cancer survivors to join us on Saturday in our efforts to increase breast cancer awareness, and are hoping for lots of supporters," Antonio says. "It will be FUN!" he says with his infectious enthusiasm.

So lace up your sneakers, take your coffee to go, and join the fight against breast cancer this Saturday.