TORONTO — Lisa Gardner Plant and a group of friends want to dance to end cancer.

The women are joining together to take part in the second annual Dance to Conquer Cancer – Disco Days and Boogie Nights, hosted by Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

The event, to take place March 3 at the Paramount Conference and Event Centre in Woodbridge, Ont., features fitness guru Richard Simmons and the singing group the Pointer Sisters.

Beginning at noon, about 500 participants will take part in a three-hour dance-a-thon, in which they will be challenged to dance 10,000 steps with moves from the 1970s and 1980s.

At 6 p.m., the evening portion begins with dinner, dancing and entertainment by the Pointer Sisters.

Gardner Plant said her group of 10 Jewish women, who all work out together, have a special reason to be participating in the event.

One of the dancers, Elysa Shaffron, 44, is battling adrenal cancer and is currently undergoing treatment at Princess Margaret.

Gardner Plant said that although each dancer must raise $500 to participate, the goal of their team is to raise as much money as possible.

Paul Alofs, president and CEO of the hospital’s foundation, said in a press release that “we hope our Dance to Conquer Cancer fundraiser will inspire those touched by cancer, while offering people a one-of-a kind engaging event using the elements of dance and disco.”

To register or to purchase tickets, visit www.dancetoconquercancer.ca.