Planet Fitness to Hold Inaugural 'Workout Against Cancer' Event

Was your New Year's Resolution to get to your gym more often? Well, now you have one more reason to frequent the fitness center: you can help Connecticut cancer patients and their families. 

Planet Fitness in North Haven and East Haven — along with 20 other Planet Fitness locations across Connecticut — will hold their first ever 'Workout Against Cancer' event, Sunday, Jan. 27.

Whatever your workout style, it doesn't matter. You can run, walk, climb, bike, lift, ect. anytime from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the day of the event to help raise money for the Connecticut Sports Foundation.

"This is the first year we're doing this," Christina Kostek, Manager at Guilford's Planet Fitness told Patch. "We're hoping to turn it into an annual event in the future."

There are two ways to register:

1. Pay a $25 entry fee: Register for Workout Against Cancer online or by completing a form available at the Guilford location. 
2. Fundraise for CSF: Become a fundraiser for CSF and have your registration fee for the event waived if you raise over $100. Set up an online fundraising website to raise money for CT cancer patients. If you need help setting up your site contact Kristin at kristin.jbsports@snet.net or call 203-481-5933.

"It's really easy to register for the event, and Kristin's available to help for those interested in setting up their own page," Kostek continued. "What's great about the event too is that you don't have to be a Planet Fitness member to participate. So if one of you New Year's Resolutions was to exercise more, this is a great oppotunity to do just that, and do it for a great cause."

"Our plan is to section off some cardio and lift equipment and reserve that space for the event," said Kostek. "We're even offering a post-event snack for participants who have worked up an appetite."

In addition to East Haven and North Haven, numerous other Planet Fitness locations also plan on holding the fundraiser, including:

• Branford
• Dayville
• Guilford
• Fairfield
• Groton
• Hamden
• Meriden
• Milford
• Naugatuck
• New Haven
• Norwalk
• Orange
• Shelton-2
• Stamford-2
• Trumbull
• Waterbury
• Waterford

"John C. Ellis, the founder of CSF, is a Hodgkin’s disease survivor," concluded Kostek. "As a professional athlete, he had the resources to get the care he needed, and he vowed that if he survived his battle, he would help others get access to the necessary financial support. That's why the funds raised go directly to the families of those battling cancer. So every penny raised goes to those who need it most."