UK Students Excited for DanceBlue 2020
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 24, 2020) — University of Kentucky students across campus are putting the final preparations together for DanceBlue 2020. This year’s DanceBlue Marathon will take place from 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 1 in Memorial Coliseum and feature more than 900 student dancers.
DanceBlue is UK’s largest student-run organization that fundraises year-round, culminating in a 24-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon.
Current Overall Chair Sally Martin is passionate about the organization and the mission shared by thousands of UK students in fighting cancer.
“DanceBlue is far more than a student philanthropy or a fundraising organization. With DanceBlue, we dance for hope alongside those still fighting, the reality of grief for those who have passed, and the joyful celebration of those who have won their battle,” Martin said.
The money raised by DanceBlue is donated to the Golden Matrix Fund, established to support the children of the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic. DanceBlue also provides funds to support research at the UK Markey Cancer Center.
Students involved with DanceBlue prepare for the marathon an entire year in advance.
“The Marathon is a 24-hour celebration of all the work that thousands of students have put in throughout the year where we get to dance alongside the kids that we fight for every day,” Martin shared.
Since its inception in 2006, DanceBlue has raised more than $15.3 million “For The Kids.”
In addition to small but important patient support programs such as the “Beads of Courage” program that each child receives after cancer treatments, this funding has enabled the hiring of vital staff in the clinic including a certified child life specialist to help children emotionally handle their diagnosis and treatments.
A school intervention specialist has also been brought on to serve as an advocate for patients, ensuring they manage coursework while undergoing treatment.
The support of the Golden Matrix Fund enabled the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic to open a brand new facility in 2017 after a complete renovation funded solely from DanceBlue. The new Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic has expanded the capacity of the clinic and provides a more convenient and comfortable experience for families.
Anyone is welcome to stop by throughout the marathon to watch in the stands and support the dancers and kids. Individuals can also provide support by volunteering, donating and becoming corporate sponsors. For questions regarding involvement, visit the DanceBlue office located in the Gatton Student Center or contact a committee member.
For more information about DanceBlue or to support its efforts, please visit www.danceblue.org. Connect with DanceBlue on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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.