Ballet dancers join breast cancer survivor Katherine for world's first 'Ballethon'


Would-be ballerinas are being urged to take part in the world's first Ballethon, taking place in Stroud next month.

Ballet teacher Katherine MacInnes had a mastectomy in December, but that hasn't stopped her from dancing, or teaching.

Now she's inviting dancers of all abilities to join her for the world's first Ballethon.

Anyone can take part in her three hour dance marathon planned for Sunday April 17, to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

Katherine 46, was diagnosed with breast cancer last October, and in December underwent a mastectomy and then breast reconstruction using skin and tissue from her own abdomen.

"I'm really happy that it all happened in one operation and I don't have to have further treatment. I feel amazingly lucky," said Katherine, who has three children aged 16, 14 and 11.

She's now back dancing and teaching her Ballet-fit classes to adults and children of all abilities.

"I thought my balance might have been affected and my flexibility, but it seems to have come back."

She's also been told that there's no sign that her cancer has spread.

"I felt as if a weight had been lifted.

"I thought, ok I've got all this life not I need to do something with it. And so I've started raising money for Cancer Research UK.

"I may not have had the next 20 or 30 years, so I need to do something purposeful with it."

Her Ballethon will involve three hours of consecutive dancing with breaks, and anyone aged over 16 including beginners can take part and help raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

"It will be the world's first ballethon," said Katherine.

She's hoping that the Ballethon, sponsored by Teamwork Selection Ltd and Bottle Green, will see 60 dancers taking part in three venues; The Cotswold Playhouse studio in Stroud, as well as Janet Marshalls Dance Studio in Cheltenham, and The Body Workshop, Cirencester.

Katherine MacInnes attended Elmhurst Ballet School where she studied ballet, modern, tap and flamenco.

She went on to become a playwright, journalist and commissioning editor but has to returned to ballet now, in her mid-forties.

Her classes are attended by dancers of all ages, including those up to their 80s, who say ballet helps to improve their fitness, and also keep their brain alert.

To find out more about the ballethon visit www.ballet-fit.co.uk.

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