May 6, 2019
Vanessa Higgins-Nogareda dances her way to a win with her professional dance partner, Leo Sato, at the 2019 Sheraton Celebrity Dance Off held in support of the Friends of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. At the April 13 event, they dedicated their performance to the healthcare professionals who help people every day.
Story by Amelia Schofield | Photo by Rob Ironside
RED DEER — Smooth moves and a passion for health helped Vanessa Higgins-Nogareda, a medical specialties nurse at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, dance her way to victory at the 2019 Sheraton Celebrity Dance Off.
One of Red Deer’s premier annual events, the April 13 competition brought together 1,000 community members to raise awareness and funds in support of the Friends of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.
Participating in the Dance Off is an opportunity to go outside your comfort zone, have a lot of fun and support a great cause, according to Higgins-Nogareda.
“I’ve always been a big fan of the Dance Off. It’s a night of glitz, glamour, dance and charity. There’s just something fantastic about people putting themselves out there to dance for a cause that’s close to their hearts,” she says.
“When I was approached this year to raise funds for the Friends, the decision was easy as I’m passionate about our hospital and everything it does for Central Albertans.”
Leading up to the event, Higgins-Nogareda hosted fundraisers for family and friends: including a Thriller zombie-themed dinner, hip hop show and dance battle; a photo session with characters from the movie Frozen; and a fundraiser with the Hospital Curling League which ended with Higgins-Nogareda wearing a tutu outfit for half the season. These efforts were highly successful, raising $30,000 in support of the Friends.
During the dance off, Higgins-Nogareda and Leo Sato, her professional dance partner, performed to Marc Anthony’s song, Vivir Mi Vida, which translates into Live My Life. They chose the song to honour healthcare professionals who help people live their lives every day.
Their performance impressed the crowd, further persuading judges to declare them the 2019 champions.
Higgins-Nogareda, who was seven months pregnant at the time, says she felt ecstatic to win — and is grateful to her dance partner for his support.
“Leo was so patient with me having to change the choreography to fit my growing belly and shifting centre of gravity,” she says. “We worked very hard — and I feel so proud that we got to hold the Technical Award and Mirrorball Trophy together.”
She adds that she’s proud of the event’s success and pleased with the profile it’s brought to the Friends.
“They do so much every day for patients, but it goes largely unrecognized due to their humble helping natures. I felt it was important not only to support them with fundraising, but also (to boost) awareness about their important work.”
To find out more about the Friends of Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre and how you can show your support, please visit friendsoftherdrh.com.
AHS recognizes May as Health Philanthropy Month. Throughout the month, we’re celebrating the physicians and staff who generously support our foundation partners across Alberta. See how you can make a difference at ahs.ca/give.
