Members of the SMU community gathered at 6 p.m. Thursday evening at the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports to work out and raise awareness for cancer.

The Mustang Fitness Club’s group exercise class called Kick it for Cancer not only provided students with a fun free way to be active, but also collected donations for the American Cancer Society.

According to their mission statement, The American Cancer Society is, “the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.”

“Kick it for Cancer is a one hour event to help raise money to combat cancer,” Mustang Fitness Club President Aubrey Richardson said.

“Mustang Fitness Club is holding this event because one of our Dedman patrons, who is near and dear to our hearts, is battling cancer and this is our way of supporting him and other members of the SMU community affected by cancer,” Richardson said.

“It’s for cancer awareness for all types of cancer,” said Gina Garcia, Dedman’s Assistant Director of Fitness.

“We hope to make students and professors aware of cancer and also provide support for those going through difficult times,” she said.

Garcia and the rest of the Mustang Fitness Club were also there to support cancer survivors they knew, such as Thomas Martin.

Martin has survived two lung transplants after being diagnosed with esophagus cancer. He rows every day and was there rowing while the rest of the group completed a one hour TURBOKick Round 57 aerobic workout.

The routines were taught by Mustang Fitness student instructors: Aubrey Richardson, Dani Simmons and Alex Vasile.

Donations collected for the American Cancer Society go toward funding for research to find a cure.