DanceBlue Opens the Semester Big With DanceBlueU and Begins a New Decade
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 28, 2015) — This year is DanceBlue’s biggest yet as it goes into its 11th year of supporting the kids! After a decade of rapid growth and hard work, there is no better way to kick off the next decade than with your help.
DanceBlue is the University of Kentucky's 24-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon that benefits the Golden Matrix Fund and the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic. Now in its 11th year, DanceBlue has raised more than $8.1 million dollars for pediatric cancer research and child life efforts.
DanceBlue is not just 24 hours; it is a culmination of 365 days of work. And as we get back to school, DanceBlue has planned some exciting events for the UK community, starting with DanceBlueU, which will be held this evening from 6-9 p.m. at the Seaton Center Gym.
What is DanceBlueU? It is a three-hour mini dance marathon for freshmen! As DanceBlue’s first K Week event, it serves as a way for the new students to get a feel of the 24-hour dance marathon. During the three hours, freshmen will stand, get to know their morale group, meet DanceBlue committee members, learn the line dance, and play a game from the 2015 marathon.
Other big events to look out for this semester include the following:
Blitz Week Sept. 21-25
For an entire week, UK goes gold for the kids and supports National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. DanceBlue leads this effort each year with its annual Blitz Week event. The week features fun, games, and giveaways, but most importantly, you can register as a team or an individual to dance at the DanceBlue Marathon.
DanceBlue 5K Oct. 4
DanceBlue will host the annual DanceBlue 5K race Oct. 4 at Coldstream Park in Lexington. Coldstream Park was once a prominent Kentucky horse farm and home to the first Kentucky Derby winner, Aristides. So, take a break from your studies, lace up your running shoes, and enjoy the beautiful scenery in the heart of horse country for the kids!
For more information about DanceBlue, registration information or to support its efforts, please visit danceblue.org. Connect with DanceBlue on Facebook at facebook.com/danceblue and on Twitter at twitter.com/UKDanceBlue.
DanceBlue is a program housed in the UK Center for Community Outreach. The CCO seeks to serve, connect and unite the University of Kentucky with the surrounding community in collaborative efforts to promote life-long community service.
MEDIA CONTACT: Katy Bennett, (859) 257-1909; katy.bennett@uky.edu; Rebecca Stratton, (859) 323-2395; rebecca.stratton@uky.edu