Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

It's time to register for the 8th Annual Fitness for the Cure (formerly Cycle for the Cure). Although the name has changed the event's goal is still the same: promoting fitness while raising cancer research funds for the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). This year's event offers expanded workout options beyond in-place cycling - including hiking, tennis, a variety of yoga, a fitness boot camp, and interval training called Mixxed Fit.

"We are opening up this event to more than spinning classes and a few yoga options to a whole variety of exercise modes, enabling TGen supporters to select the activities that best fit their goals and passions," said Vicki Vaughn, Fitness for the Cure event co-chair.

Now in it's 8th year, Fitness for the Cure has raised more than $1 million for TGen cancer research in the past, including more than $200,000 in 2017 - which organizers are aiming to exceed this year.

Fitness for the Cure will be hosted on Sunday, April 29 at all four Valley locations of The Village Health Clubs & Spas in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Chandler, and activity times vary by club. A Village membership is not required to participate in Fitness for the Cure. For each club's activity schedules, participation costs and to register, visit www.tgen.org/fitness.

"Village Health Clubs are exclusive, state-of- the-art workout facilities, and we are so glad that they are being made available to the general public on this one special day to support all the good work TGen does to find better treatments for the many types of cancer that afflict Arizonans," said Robyn DeBell, also a Fitness for the Cure event co-chair.

#SetThePace is the theme for the new Fitness for the Cure, supporting TGen scientists to remain global front-runners in genomic-based precision medicine efforts to fight cancer. Using genomic sequencing, TGen helps doctors match the appropriate therapy to each patient's DNA profile, producing the greatest patient benefit.

Dr. Matt Huentelman, professor in TGen's Neurogenomics Division, will be among TGen's renowned scientists participating in Fitness for the Cure. He recently published a study about the way genes respond to different types of exercise and how this research can be used to find better ways to promote muscle health.

"We hope to leverage these findings into more precise exercise recommendations in the future - ones that are tailored to an individual not only based on their physiological needs but also based on their molecular response to exercise," said Dr. Huentelman.

To join, register for the event online or at your local Village location, or sign up as a virtual participant, which means doing any activity on your own, while raising money for cancer research. As you work out with others, you'll be inspired and energized by your shared mission to fund groundbreaking research with life changing results, and knowing that 100% of the money raised supports cancer research in Arizona.

Those that participate in the event won't want to miss the post-exercise "cool down" party at Camelback Village at 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 29. This celebration will feature cool refreshments, small bites, and a return performance by Nate Nathan and the MacDaddy-O's Band. (The party is free for all participants; $20 for guests.) Guests may RSVP to Lindsey Kent for the Post-Ride Party at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 602.343.8681.