Get ready to move as Zumba Party benefits Lurie Children's Heart Center

Jennifer Voss' daughter, Rebecca, was born in June 2000, with a congenital heart defect requiring open heart surgery after birth.

She was immediately transported to Children's Memorial Hospital - now Lurie Children's Hospital - to undergo surgery.

"I held her for not even a minute," said Voss, of Rolling Meadows. "It was hard. She was in another hospital while I stayed at Prentice Women's Hospital. I couldn't see her for three days."

While that first year was tough, Voss and her husband, Royal, were relieved Rebecca would not need another surgery for several years - though she would require frequent follow up care with a pediatric cardiologist. Rebecca had her second open heart surgery at age 12, at Lurie Children's Hospital, to replace a valve and is now a healthy 21-year-old. The family is moving to Dubuque, Iowa, where Royal has a new job as a district manager.

As a show of gratitude to the health care community for all they do for children like Rebecca, Voss, a Zumba and Pilates Reformer instructor for Rolling Meadows Park District, is hosting a Zumba Party fundraiser for Lurie Children's Heart Center. Set for 6:30-8pm, Friday, March 25, at the park district's Plum Grove Park Banquet Hall, 4001 Park Drive, Palatine, the fundraiser will feature dancing, music and light refreshments. The banquet hall is upstairs from The Grove Fitness Studio where Voss teaches. Cost is $8 per person with proceeds benefiting Lurie Children's Heart Center.

"All my years of teaching Zumba I've thought I'd love to do a Zumba-themed fundraiser for Lurie's," Voss said. "I just want to give back and say thanks for everything they've done for Rebecca over the years - from when they were Children's Memorial Hospital to Rebecca's last pediatric cardiology appointment at 18."

Voss said the fundraiser is also an opportunity to thank her students before the family moves out of state.

"I'm grateful to all my students I've been able to connect with through all my years of teaching fitness," Voss said. "This will be a walk down memory lane."

Donations may be made at the door or directly to Jennifer's fundraising page: https://bit.ly/SupportLurie. Registration is required for the event at https://bit.ly/3s2oaOs.

For more information, visit rmparks.org or call (847) 818-3200.