UK Happenings

Participate in DanceBlue’s ‘No Shave November’

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 17, 2020) — In a fundraising event unlike anything DanceBlue has ever been involved in before, the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic staff has created a challenge in honor of the kids. The goal of the clinic staff is to raise $15,000 before Nov. 29, but there is a caveat: for every $1,000 raised, a clinic staff member will shave their head in solidarity with kids in the clinic!

Fifteen clinic staff members have committed to this challenge, resulting in a full or partial shave that will take place via Zoom Nov. 30. Family Relations Chair Emily Hulette, who works closely with the clinic staff, is in awe of the support. 

“DanceBlue is an organization that is unwavering: unwavering hope, unwavering joy and unwavering love,” Hulette said. “I have the immense pleasure of witnessing the servant heartedness, kindness and intentionality of the DanceBlue Clinic staff. They stand with these kids that are the brightest lights on the darkest days. They love these kids wholeheartedly and are showing that love by standing in solidarity with our kiddos. They have committed to participating in the No Shave November Fundraiser because no one should ever walk alone through the battle of cancer. 

"Of course, this staff works with the kids every single day, but this fundraiser shows the dedication and love that the staff members have for the kids. To them, it’s not just a job." 

Beth Harris, a clinic nurse, said she signed up because the children inspire her every day. 

“They come into clinic with grateful hearts on the worst days of their short lives. They were given a diagnosis that they never asked for,” shared Harris. “The least I can do is shave some hair to show them how much their strength and bravery means to me!”

The clinic staff has decided to do this because the kids are at the center of everything DanceBlue does. Although it is hard to even begin to understand what the kids or their families go through on a daily basis, DanceBlue can walk with them, and that is what they are trying to do.

To sponsor a shaven head or to donate in support of the cause, use the link provided: https://danceblue.networkforgood.com/causes/4789-danceblue-golden-matrix-fund-dance-teams.

DanceBlue is the University of Kentucky's 24-hour, no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon that benefits the Golden Matrix Fund. The DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic opened its brand new facility in 2017 after a complete renovation funded solely from DanceBlue. For more information about DanceBlue, registration information or to support its efforts, please visit www.danceblue.org. Connect with DanceBlue on Facebook at www.facebook.com/danceblue and Twitter at http://twitter.com/UKDanceBlue, and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/uk_danceblue/.

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 health care. 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 $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.