Tracy Gould has fighting spirit with Zumba record attempt

The fundraising feat to beat India’s record of having 6,671 participants in a Zumba session doesn’t phase Tracy Gould – a woman who is used to taking on and winning challenges.

Four years ago, Tracy took on the biggest challenge of her life – her battle with breast cancer. It was a fight she was determined to win and she is now in remission.

Tracy’s positive outlook throughout her ordeal, which began following her diagnosis in 2009, was evident through the blog she began predominantly for family and friends.

“Friends and family around the world were saying they wanted to keep up with what I was doing. It was also to prove to other people that regardless of what is thrown at you in life, you have a really active, positive life. It was to say to people get out there and you can really challenge yourself,” says Tracy.

Her blog, War On Cancer, has since developed into a charity and the Zumba challenge she has organised at the Bradford Bulls Stadium, where she works in the ticket office, is one of her biggest so far.

The aim is to donate some of the money to research and also to provide pampering sessions at local spas for patients who are undergoing treatment.

“I believe we can seriously help bolster a patient’s spirit by showing that a little pampering can go a long way to helping them keep up the fight and feel good about themselves,” says Tracy. “It is essential to keep the fighting spirit at optimum for patients to get through the treatments.”

No stranger to fundraising, Tracy has previously conquered the Yorkshire Three Peaks, and in 2011 she joined other fundraisers uniting against breast cancer strolling the streets of London along the Marathon route for the Moon Walk organised by grant-making breast cancer charity Walk the Walk.

Since setting up her War on Cancer charity two years ago, Tracy and her fellow fundraisers have raised £5,000.

“We have been quietly fundraising and I decided I would go for something really big to get awareness out there, hence the Zumba,” explains Tracy.

“It’s getting people to participate for the fun factor and to challenge themselves as well.”

Staff from Zumba Bradford will lead the challenge which it is hoped will attract thousands of fundraisers to join in the fight against breast cancer.

“The only time I’ve done Zumba is the warm-up before the Moon Walk. It’s really good fun and people of all different fitness levels can still have a go at it.

“For me the War on Cancer is all about participation from other people,” says Tracy. “I want people to get involved and get their teeth into it.

“The World Record is 6,671 and held in India at the moment. Bradford has a fantastic feel- good atmosphere right now. Bradford City have done really well, the city has perked up and why shouldn’t we bring the world record to Bradford as well?

“I thought that would be really good for everybody and get all the community involved.”

To beat the current world record, the Zumba session will have to last 40 minutes with a minimum of 7,000 participants.

“I’ve always done fundraising. I get a real buzz from helping other people,” says Tracy, 45, from Cottingley.

After being diagnosed with a Grade 3 lump which she found accidentally, Tracy underwent a lumpectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.

“I lost my hair and I just wore a bandana, but for many it affects their self-esteem,” she says.

“It’s a long, tough journey.”

Tracy’s positive outlook helped her cope. “I was absolutely fine about it, but I get up every morning and it’s a new day bonus. I get the best out of the day that I can,” she adds.

The Zumba event takes place on Saturday, August 17, at the Bradford Bulls Stadium. Gates open at noon and the record attempt is scheduled to take place at 2pm.