Zumba Master Class Nets $1,200 for Norma Pfriem Breast Center

Fairfield — A “pink” zumba master class at Punchthesky Fitness in Fairfield raised $1,200 for the patients and programs of the Norma Pfriem Breast Center.  The event, held on November 14, was organized by the fitness center’s owner, Nina Merlonghi, who wanted to help women in need receive breast cancer services.  The Norma Pfriem Breast Center, the first free-standing, community-based breast care center in Connecticut, has been helping women in the community fight breast cancer for fifteen years.

The event featured the music of DJ Stilo and an all start line up of zumba instructors, including Merlonghi, Hector Rosa, Fabi Ferreira, Constantino, Shannon Wade and Luli.

Merlonghi has been teaching zumba for almost four years.  She opened Punchthesky Fitness in September to provide a fun, exciting, joyous and energetic workout setting.  

Medically Underserved Initiative provides financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured women.  Over 1,000 women receive free screening and diagnostic services through the Initiative each year, making it the largest program of its kind in the area.  

Part of Bridgeport Hospital and the Yale New Haven Health System, the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center has served more than 20,000 women and their families since it was established in 1999.  One of only 200 sites accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), the Center provides a wide range of diagnostic care and treatment at its Bridgeport Hospital and Fairfield locations, including medical oncology, surgical and chemotherapy services, plastic surgery, mammography and radiation therapy, and genetic risk assessment as well as opportunities to participate in clinical trials.  The Breast Care Center office at 111 Beach Road in Fairfield also provides comprehensive women’s wellness services, including nutrition counseling, massage and Reiki therapy, wig and prosthesis fitting, counseling, yoga, Pilates, naturopathic medicine, and other patient support activities.  The Center has a satellite office on Park Avenue in Trumbull.  The Center is a member of the prestigious National Consortium of Breast Care Centers.  For more information call 203.255.5300 or visit online.

Bridgeport Hospital, part of Yale New Haven Health, is a non-profit 501-bed acute care hospital with two campuses (plus 42 beds licensed to Yale New Haven Children's Hospital). Its Bridgeport and Milford Campuses serve patients from across the region. The hospital admits more than 23,000 patients and provides nearly 350,000 outpatient treatments annually. The Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital is the only burn center in the state and one of only 64 verified burn centers in the United States. Bridgeport Hospital is committed to providing safe, compassionate and cost efficient care to its patients and the community. www.bridgeporthospital.org