Featured Fundraiser

Shall We Dance?

Rufus Dorsey is one of the many new Diabetes Summer Surgers this year. His event, called “Dancing for Diabetes,” will be a celebration of friendships and the good times that can be enjoyed even with a full-time disease like diabetes. “It will be a night of dancing, fitness and fun all rolled into one,” says Rufus, who is an actor, certified fitness trainer and volunteer for the Canadian Diabetes Association in Vancouver.

When Rufus was 17, he should have been having the time of his life as a high school senior; instead he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He had just been voted Best Athlete, made the all-star football team, won a United States Army Scholar/Athlete Award and had even been voted prom king. Even though his diagnosis was devastating, it became a catalyst, prompting him to rise above the challenges of diabetes and to also help other people living with the disease.

“I want to motivate and inspire people living with diabetes by living an active lifestyle and being a role model,” Rufus explains. “Living with diabetes can be very hard and I have rough days - I’m human. But, then I just remember how we can all support each other.”

As a fitness trainer and a person living diabetes, Rufus understands the importance of physical activity to effectively manage the disease. For someone like Rufus who loves to dance, it may seem like nothing but fun, but it can make for an excellent workout. Dancing can burn as much as 500 calories, strengthen bones and improve balance. And the dancing can increase the cool factor - trust Rufus on that!

Rufus’ Dancing for Diabetes event will occur on Friday, July 9, at the Republic Nightclub in Vancouver. He will also ask for support from his contacts in L.A., his second home. In between his indie movie project and photo shoots, he will be raising funds for the Diabetes Summer Surge. “I’m doing this to help raise money for research and to promote diabetes awareness and prevention,” Rufus explains. He hopes to inspire others to put on their dancing shoes and follow suit, or if you’re looking for a way to get involved you can donate to support his event. “By getting involved you're helping a great organization battle a disease that affects so many lives.”

Watch Rufus’ interview on Shaw Cable’s Urban Rush on Wednesday, July 7, airing at 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.