Father's ALS Latest Challenge for Zumba Instructor's Family

To say the past year has been a difficult one for Glenda Alcantara would be quite an understatement.

The Hoboken Zumba instructor lost her two younger brothers, Georgie, 23, and Tony, 27, due to osteopetrosis, an extremely rare inherited disorder that causes the bones to harden and become more dense.

Georgie died in January 2013 from complications due to his condition and Tony died in June 2013 from an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant.

Now Alcantara is trying to raise money to help her father, Jorge, battle ALS.

Alcantara has organized a Zumbathon featuring five instructors, raffles, Zumba gear for purchase, refreshments and vendors Sunday at the Edgewater Community Center from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Registration starts at 4 p.m.

"The deterioration I've seen in my father since August of 2013 is almost hard to put into words," said Alcantara, who works at Hoboken NYSC. "He needs around the clock care by many family members. My hope is that with the funds raised, we can provide him with much needed moments of ease and comfort since there are so many times when he's in discomfort."

The community center is located at 1167 River Road in Edgewater. Pre-purchased tickets are $20, $25 at the door and children under 13 pay $5.

"This Zumbathon symbolizes so much for me when it comes to family, health and bringing people together in the name of both," Alcantara said. "We will be hip gyrating to the best beats in the hopes that my dad will be able to dance again one day."