UK Happenings

DanceBlue kicks off fundraising season with Gold Ribbon Week

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 10, 2026) — DanceBlue is kicking off its annual fundraising efforts with Gold Ribbon Week, bringing together students, teams and community members to support the DanceBlue Golisano Children’s at UK Hematology/Oncology Clinic.

Throughout the week, each day will highlight a different part of the DanceBlue community and the organization’s mission to support children and families receiving care at the clinic.

With DanceBlue events and fundraising efforts already underway for the year, Gold Ribbon Week offers students, teams and community members an opportunity to get involved early and help make an impact.

“What matters more than anything is the difference we can make for the kids and families at the clinic,” said Olivia Johnson, DanceBlue fundraising chair. “Gold Ribbon Week is about so much more than just raising money. It is an opportunity for us to come together as a DanceBlue community, share our mission, and remind these families that they have a whole family standing with them through it all.”

Each day will feature a different theme and opportunities to support the clinic:

Miracle Monday (Nov. 9): Kick off the week by helping fill the clinic. Help support the clinic’s wish list through donations and learn more about the children and families at the heart of DanceBlue’s mission.

Team Tuesday (Nov. 10): Teams will go head-to-head in a friendly fundraising competition to see who can raise the most money in a single day.

Why DB Wednesday (Nov. 11): Hear directly from DanceBlue participants, committee members and Mini Marathon participants about why they are involved and what makes the organization so meaningful to them. Through personal stories, the day will highlight the people and experiences behind the DanceBlue mission.

12K in a Day Thursday (Nov. 12): DanceBlue will bring the community together for its Gold Ribbon Challenge, with a goal of raising $12,000 in one day. Participants can also join in on the fun with a special event from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at SkyZone.

Cuts for the Clinic Friday (Nov. 13): Close out the week with Cuts for the Clinic, celebrating those who are willing to cut their hair in support of children receiving treatment at the clinic.

Gold Ribbon Week serves as an opportunity to celebrate the DanceBlue community, share the stories behind its mission and remind everyone that even small contributions can make a meaningful difference in the lives of clinic families.

To learn more about our Gold Ribbon Week, visit the DanceBlue website and social media channels or contact fundraising@danceblue.org.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and healthcare. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $1.02 billion research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.