DanceBlue Raises $834,424.57

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 3, 2012) – Though inclement weather may have cut DanceBlue, UK's 24 hour dance marathon into a 12 hour event, the spirit of the dancers and the generosity of the community could not be dampened. Just before 8 p.m., committee members revealed a grand fundraising total of $834,424.57 at the 7th annual DanceBlue dance marathon to a huge crowd at Memorial Coliseum.

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Whether participating as a dancer, volunteer, committee member or spectator, DanceBlue is more than an event; it is something no one ever forgets, especially the last few hours. With a family talent show featuring children from the clinic and an emotional memorial hour to remember those who have lost their battle with cancer, the fundraising reveal was a much anticipated moment for many people.

DanceBlue began in 2006 by raising $123,323.16 and has increased every year since. In total, DanceBlue had donated more than $3.5 million to pediatric cancer and cancer research since its inception in 2005.

All of the money raised at this annual no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon goes to the Golden Matrix Fund benefiting children with cancer and their families at the UK Pediatric Oncology Clinic at Kentucky Children's Hospital and cancer research.

Clay Stanley, a UK senior and the 2012 overall chair, said, "This year's marathon may have been half as long as we planned, but that doesn't change our spirit or change our cause. Whether we dance for two minutes or 24 hours, we are happy to be here together, united to stand against cancer. We know there are so many across our Commonwealth that were devastated by last night's storms and were not as lucky as we were and our thoughts are with them as well.

Everyone at DanceBlue was there for a reason this weekend. They were there for a cure, for hope and most importantly, For the Kids.