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At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, it’s always exciting when our talented staff & students, and exciting events & locations are celebrated in the media! From local community stories to national news, our goal is to help share the inspiring examples of how the positive and transforming power of dance enriches lives – physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. Browse these links, and perhaps discover something new and engaging about dance. Then, step in to Fred Astaire Dance Studios and experience the joy and confidence that dance lessons can bring to your life.

Cancer survivor fundraises through ballroom dancing

The Daily Herakd | Posted: 10/2/2016 6:00 AM

Ballroom dancing can’t take any credit for getting Robin Schwarz through an intense 

breast cancer regimen six years ago when the St. Charles mother of two endured a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and 28 rounds of radiation.

But there is no denying that Schwarz, now cancer free and healthy at age 42, is finding the dance floor to be an uplifting “happy place,” one that gives her a sense of purpose and beauty that cancer survivors often lack.

To that end, she is preparing to participate in the fourth annual Dancing with the Survivors gala Oct. 22 at the Itasca Country Club, where she will perform a fox trot with a pro from Fred Astaire dance studios.

It’s all to raise money for The Pink Fund, which provides those undergoing breast cancer treatments with up to 90 days of financial assistance to cover nonmedical expenses.

“I had no real dance experience before getting sick,” said Schwarz, who has been taking lessons at Fred Astaire studios for about four years, now spending a fair amount of time at the new St. Charles studio.

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