DanceBlue Raises $1,436,606.24

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 22, 2014) – With sore feet, worn-out bodies and emotions running high, committee members revealed a grand fundraising total of $1,436,606.24 at the ninth annual DanceBlue dance marathon to a crowd of several thousand people.

Whether participating as a dancer, volunteer, committee member or even just a supporter, DanceBlue is something no one ever forgets, especially the last few hours. With a family talent show featuring children from the clinic and an emotional memorial hour to remember those who have lost their battle with cancer, the reveal tonight was a much anticipated moment for so many people at UK.

It all began in 2006 by raising $123,323.16 and has increased every year. With this year's total, DanceBlue has contributed more than $6.5 million dollars to the Golden Matrix Fund and the DanceBlue Kentucky Children's Hospital Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic.

More than 800 dancers completed DanceBlue. All of the money raised at this annual 24-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon benefits children with cancer and their families and cancer research.

Claci Ayers, DanceBlue 2014 overall chair, said, "Over a year ago I said to myself 'If there was one thing on this campus I could dedicate all my time to it would be DanceBlue and those families.' Early mornings, late nights, and lots of hard work but I wouldn't take any of it back. It is all worth it because this weekend kids will smile, laugh, dance and just get to be a kid for 24 hours. The committee has worked so hard and I am proud of every single one of them. For The Kids forever and always."

Everyone at DanceBlue was there for a reason this weekend. They were there for a cure, for hope and most importantly, for the kids.

MEDIA CONTACT: Katy Bennett, katy.bennett@uky.edu, 859-257-1909