‘Behind the Blue’: DanceBlue turns 20
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 24, 2025) — Each year in the spring, hundreds of UK students gather to stand for an entire day to support the patients in the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic.
This year, the organization will celebrate its 20th annual marathon. Students work all year to raise funds and share the mission to spread joy. On March 29-30 they will fill the floor of Historic Memorial Coliseum for 24-hours to participate in the no-sitting, no-sleeping marathon.
In 2006, the very first DanceBlue marathon raised $123,323.16. The event has grown larger every year, becoming one of the greatest traditions at the University of Kentucky. In 2024, the organization raised $2.1 million, breaking the record for highest fundraising total.
For 20 years, DanceBlue has strived to spread joy to those living with cancer, to persevere in memory of the lives lost and to celebrate every victory until the battle against pediatric cancer is won.
On this episode of “Behind the Blue,” two UK alumni who were previous members of DanceBlue’s leadership committee share their thoughts and reflections on the program.
Amberlee Isabella, an entrepreneur in New York, and Alex Wade, a Lexington native and local physician, both talk about the impact DanceBlue had on their personal lives and professional careers, the importance of community service and support, and the emotional connections that have defined DanceBlue and the unique family it has created.
“Behind the Blue” is available via a variety of podcast platforms, including iTunes and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.
“Behind the Blue” is a joint production of the University of Kentucky and UK HealthCare. Transcripts for this or other episodes of “Behind the Blue” can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
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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.