DOWAGIAC — Donning speckled gray T-shirts with the words “Ronda Strong” across a large ribbon, dozens of Dowagiac community members filled the gym at Apostolic Lighthouse Church, 30402 M-62 W., Dowagiac, Saturday morning.

Rhythm sticks in hand, those in the gym danced to energetic music, hitting a drum made of an exercise ball and a bucket to the beat — all in the name of supporting a fellow community member.

A cardio drumming drumathon was hosted to raise funds to help pay for cancer treatments for Ronda Sullivan, a life-long Dowagiac resident and member of the Dowagiac Board of Education. At the event, more than $4,000 was raised, and as of Sunday evening, organizers expected more donations to trickle in.

“It’s awesome to see the community come out for Ronda,” said Tonya Brooks, the event’s organizer and a life-long friend of Sullivan’s. “It was an amazing day.”

Sullivan was diagnosed with gastric cancer in 2013. She is currently undergoing her third round of chemotherapy to fight the disease. Funds raised from the event will help cover the costs of scans associated with her treatment that are not covered by insurance.

As Sullivan regularly attends cardio drumming to exercise, Brooks thought hosting a drumathon would be a fun way to raise money for Sullivan’s treatment and to show her how the community cares for her. Brooks said she did not tell Sullivan about the fundraiser until it was already planned because she knows Sullivan tends to think of others first and would have told her not to host an event in her honor.

“I knew I had to plan this, and I know how much she likes drumming,” Brooks said. “It seemed like the right fit.”

When she saw Saturday’s turnout, Sullivan was moved to tears, saying that she appreciates the friends, family and community members who attended.

“Just to have this love and the support means so much,” she said. “I don’t take for granted that I am blessed. I know I am surrounded by people who truly love me, and I know I am blessed in that.”

Going forward, both Brooks and Sullivan have the same goal: for Sullivan to be cancer-free.

“Anyone who goes through this knows what a big disruption it is to your life,” Sullivan said. “I want just to be able to continue my life and not have to plan around [cancer]. It’s events like this that I want to get to look forward to.”