Peeling with Purpose

April 2, 2008
Taking it off for breast cancer
By DHARM MAKWANA, 24 HOURS


A group of local women are trading pink ribbons for pink boas at a racy fundraiser for breast cancer awareness Friday night.

Retired exotic performer Trina Ricketts said the fifth annual Dancers For Cancer allows adult entertainers to contribute to breast cancer awareness as a concerned community just as other professional associations do.

"The coolest byproduct of our event is the women volunteering are given a great opportunity to challenge the stripper stereotype," she said.

Last year, Ricketts' troupe gained national notoriety when the Breast Cancer Society of Canada considered their $8,000 donation too controversial to accept.

Other charities were open to receiving the group's donation anonymously.

"Everyone kind of woke up and asked, 'Why don't you want their money?'" organizer Ryann Rain told 24 hours. "We're women."

Rethink Breast Cancer, a national charity responsible for edgy awareness campaigns targeting women under age 40, rose as Ricketts' beneficiary of choice when the two groups' mandates were an apparent match.

"We just looked at their heartfelt message and their goals to advance the breast cancer cause," said Rethink executive director MJ DeCouteau.

Dancers for Cancer is a continuous live show featuring 19 performers Friday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Penthouse Nightclub on Seymour Street.

By popular demand, a second strip-a-thon takes place in Victoria on Sunday.