In an effort to raise awareness of vitamin D and natural breast cancer prevention, a group organized by a Minnesota salon owner will attempt to gain recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records by conducting “The World’s Largest Bikini Parade.”

All proceeds from the July 28 parade, organized by Electric Beach of Mankato CEO/President Cynthia Frederick, will go to the Breast Cancer Natural Prevention Foundation, an action organization dedicated to saving lives by promoting natural lifestyle choices proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer, most notably by correcting epidemic vitamin D deficiency.

“I’ve been wanting to do this for a couple years. I thought that it would be a really fun thing to do because we’re all about the sun,” Frederick says. “At Smart Tan Downtown last year I realized that we could use the bikini parade to spread awareness about vitamin D and its importance for a healthy lifestyle.”

The parade will take place in Madison Lake, Minn., as part of the Madison Lake Paddlefish Days parade and celebration. 451 female participants in bikinis are needed in order to break the world record. Individuals, families and teams are invited to participate as well, but only females in bikinis will count toward the record.

And while the world record is one goal for the parade, the more important purpose is education. Frederick has printed 2000 cards with vitamin D testing information to pass out at the event.

“It is a medically proven fact that higher D levels lead to a healthier life,” Frederick says. “If we can get the message out to people to be going to their doctor and requesting a vitamin D blood test, we can help save lives and prevent diseases.”

Click here for more information on the parade.

Photo Credit: GTS Production / Shutterstock.com