City of Hope, Fitness for Hope, Philadelphia

With the holiday season approaching, give yourself the gift of health and goodwill by stopping by Sweat Fitness this Sunday for 14th Annual Fitness for Hope. On Sunday, November 24, 2013, from 10:00am to 1:00pm, at the Queen Village Location (700 Passyunk Avenue), Sweat's best trainers will offer four special donation classes in spinning, wonder track, boxing and personal training. On top of getting your workout on, enter to win a raffle for a Breakaway Bike. Additionally, Santa can check off all the items on his gift list by purchasing a commemorative t-shirt, or winning some items in the silent auction. Donations of any size are accepted for this special event. Raise or donate $50 or more, and receive a gym bag valued at $50. Donation ribbons are also available to write the name of a loved one you want to remember or honor. For more information, visit www.sweatfitness.com or www.cityofhope.org, or call 215-627-5600.

Fitness for Hope was developed 14 years ago by Sweat Fitness and owner Tracy Shannon. "I lost my mother, Joyce Ann Shannon, to lung cancer on November 28, 1997, the day after Thanksgiving,” said Shannon. “She was 49 years young. I have missed her EVERY day since she lost her battle to cancer. My mother fought lung cancer for over a year and a half. I have never watched someone fight with all their might to beat such a beast only to be defeated. I continue her fight by raising money for City of Hope. “

Sweat’s involvement in Fitness for Hope goes beyond Shannon’s personal connection. Other members of the Sweat ‘family’ have their own personal reasons for dedicating their time and resources for this special day. Operational and Aquatics Director/ Personal Trainer Holly Waters lost her mother Karl Waters to cancer. Sales Director Keisha Williams is doing the event to celebrate her father, who is a cancer survivor. Williams says,"It's our way of engaging the entire community for a day of fitness on behalf of our loved ones." She addes, “It takes all of us to fight the fight and bring awareness that breast, prostate and lung cancer are real and affecting people we know - and want to bring it to the public's attention today before it affects your moms, dads, sisters, brothers and yourself.” Williams has led the fight at the Center City Sweat by meeting and exceeding her goal to collect donations and line the track with pink donation ribbons with honors/memorials. Not only has she looped the pink ribbons around the track, but the community has donated enough to start to fill the lobby.

To join Williams, Waters and Shannon at Fitness for Hope, register online or call 215-627-5600.0Donations of any size are accepted for this special event. Raise or donate $50 or more, and receive a gym bag valued at $50. For more information, visit www.sweatfitness.com or www.cityofhope.org.