First DanceBlue UK Staff/Faculty Mini Marathon Raises More than $10,000

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2016) — In just two weeks, University of Kentucky staff and faculty participated in a university-wide fundraiser that culminated in a DanceBlue Mini Marathon at the Hilary J. Boone Center on Feb. 18. By the end of the event, $8,274.94 was raised, but by the next day, the grand total increased to $10,014.94, due to the generosity of the in-kind support of the Boone Center and The Club at UK's Spindletop Hall.

"The UK Clubs serving faculty, staff and alumni were honored to host the event and thrilled to work with such an amazing group of students for this incredibly worthy cause," said Gerald Marvel, general manager of the Boone Center and The Club at Spindletop Hall.

The UK Staff Senate and UK Clubs teamed up to support UK students who devote a tremendous amount of time and energy to DanceBlue, the largest student-run philanthropy in the Southeastern Conference. The staff/faculty mini marathon was also made possible by the donation of a large dance floor from Bryant’s Rent-All.

Approximately 130 faculty and staff participated in the event. Nate Antetomaso and Alex Feczko, members of the DanceBlue leadership team, taught the line dance to the group.

"I was blown away by how many faculty and staff not only attended the event, but were out there on the dance floor learning the DanceBlue line dance in business casual attire and loving every minute of it!" said Feczko, the DanceBlue corporate relations chair.

Seven units registered to compete for the Best Spirit prize that was presented to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for raising the most money — $4,892. NICU raised funds in honor of their friend and colleague Candice Hodge Clemons, who was a Neonatal ICU nurse and passed away on Nov. 7, 2015, from Stage 4 glioblastoma. 

“In April 2013, she was diagnosed with a Stage 4 glioblastoma and was given five to six months to live, and that's exactly what she did — lived! She lived every day to the fullest and inspired so many with her unending strength and faith," said Heather Green, who coordinated their department’s fundraising.

Other units that participated were the College of Health Sciences, HealthCare Finance, Kentucky Cancer Registry, Kentucky Geological Survey, Office of Philanthropy and University Health Service. For earning first place in fundraising, employees of NICU will be treated to a special event hosted by President Eli Capilouto.

Activities lasted just over two hours and participants danced, dined and watched DanceBlue video presentations that featured patient stories, student experiences and the charity’s history, while standing the entire time. The Office of Philanthropy had the largest number of participants with 31 people in attendance. Also in attendance were Jennifer Mynear and Susannah Denomme whose efforts started DanceBlue. WKYT’s DeAnn Stephens also was on hand to film the event for broadcast on the evening news.

According to co-coordinator Holly Clark, by the end of the Mini Marathon people were already talking about plans for next year. 

“We could not have asked for a more successful inaugural event," she said. "Our DanceBlue students led with unmatched energy and passion, and our great staff and faculty responded overwhelmingly in only two weeks. A big thank you also goes to our committee who worked hard and quickly to carry out this event to support our students in their commitment to help our precious children with cancer.” 

Other members of the UK Staff/Faculty Mini Marathon Committee are William Adams, Ayriana Catlett, Peg Connery, Kristin Janow, Orvis Kean, Paige Mathis, Melinda Plymale, Linda Russell and Seth Russell.

DanceBlue is a yearlong fundraising effort that culminates in a 24-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon that benefits the Golden Matrix Fund and the DanceBlue KCH Hematology/Oncology Clinic at the Kentucky Children’s Hospital. Now in its 11th year, DanceBlue has raised more than $8.2 million for pediatric cancer research and child life efforts. Give to DanceBlue here and connect with DanceBlue on Facebook at www.facebook.com/danceblue and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/UKDanceBlue.

DanceBlue is a program housed in the UK Center for Community Outreach (CCO). The CCO seeks to serve, connect and unite UK with the surrounding community in collaborative efforts to promote lifelong community service. For more information about the CCO, visit www.ukcco.org. Connect with the CCO on Facebook here and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ukcco.

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uky4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Harder, 859-323-2396, whitney.harder@uky.edu