Thanks For Being FTK, DanceBlue Supporters

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2016) — With only two days before the DanceBlue Marathon, the  campus is buzzing with excitement as dancers, committee members and volunteers prepare for 24 hours dedicated completely "For The Kids." DanceBlue would like to take a moment amidst the excitement to thank the incredible supporters who have graciously contributed to the causes of their organization.

The mission of the University of Kentucky DanceBlue marathon is to create a multi-faceted organization that operates through the support and leadership of the UK students, faculty, staff, administrators and the Lexington community. This cannot be achieved without the generous donors who have supported — and continue to support — all the dancers, committee members, volunteers and the kids.

"DanceBlue is lucky enough to have the amazing support that it does," said Overall DanceBlue Chair Erica Shipley. "From over 30 corporate sponsors across the state, to various middle schools and high schools hosting mini marathons, to our parents and grandparents worldwide — we are able to spread the mission of DanceBlue through them."

Funding towards DanceBlue provides salary support for professionals who help patients and their families deal with all aspects of childhood cancer. DanceBlue funds have been able to provide the clinic two social workers who are dedicated to pediatric oncology social work and who connect families with various resources. Prior to DanceBlue there were no dedicated pediatric oncology social workers.

Funding goes directly into the Golden Matrix Fund which is used to benefit the DanceBlue Kentucky Children's Hospital Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic. Because of the incredible support throughout the past 11 years, DanceBlue was able to hire their first child life specialist. These specialists are constant encouragement for families within the clinic and as they help families cope as they battle cancer.

"Cancer is an experience that no family should have to endure; but through the support DanceBlue receives, we are in turn able to care for these families," said Shipley. "As Jennifer Mynear always says, 'saying thank you doesn't even cut it.'"

Generous donors directly affect the personal lives of those in the DanceBlue Clinic.  Because of substantial support, more kids will be celebrating birthdays this year. Donors are helping kids and families live the normal lives that most take for granted.

In 2015, DanceBlue raised $1,615,057.18, situating the grand total of funds raised by DanceBlue at more than $8.2 million since its inception in 2006. DanceBlue continues to expand to involve more students, staff and members of the Lexington community. DanceBlue has grown to be the largest student-run philanthropy in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the largest in the Southeastern Conference and the fastest growing dance marathon in the country.

DanceBlue is UK’s 24-hour no-sitting, no sleeping dancer marathon that benefits the Golden Matrix Fund and the DanceBlue KCH Hematology/Oncology Clinic at the Kentucky Children’s Hospital. Now in it’s 11th year, DanceBlue has raised more than 8.2 million for pediatric dancer research and child life efforts.

DanceBlue is a program housed in the UK Center for Community Outreach (CCO). The CCO seeks to serve, connect and unite the University of Kentucky with the surrounding community in collaborative efforts to promote lifelong community service. For more information about the CCO, visit www.ukcco.org/.

To learn more about DanceBlue, visit www.danceblue.org or visit the marathon at Memorial Coliseum this weekend, 2 p.m., Feb. 27, to 2 p.m., Feb. 28.

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

DANCEBLUE CONTACT: Allee Williams, pr@danceblue.org

MEDIA CONTACT: Katy Bennett or Rebecca Stratton, katy.bennett@uky.edu or rebecca.stratton@uky.edu, 859-257-1909/859-323-2395