Service, Passion, Dancing "For The Kids"

After 24 hours of dancing in anticipation, DanceBlue chairs and committee members revealed the 2017 grand fundraising total of $1,785,286.96 to the nearly 1,000 student participants and a crowd of supporters. 

Whether participating as a dancer, volunteer, committee member or 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 lost their battle with cancer, the reveal this evening 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 $11,616,829.58 million dollars to the Golden Matrix Fund and the DanceBlue Kentucky Children's Hospital Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic. 

Nearly 1,000 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. 

"For the last 365 days, students at the University of Kentucky have been on a mission to fight pediatric cancer," Richie Simpson, 2017 overall chair, said. "They have come together to be a part of something so much greater than any one individual, and for the last 24 hours they have literally taken a stand against cancer. They refused to accept the realities of cancer, and they showed the families in the DanceBlue Clinic they are not alone and will never be alone as they face some of the toughest circumstances life can throw at you. It has been an honor to stand alongside students at the university who are so committed to making a difference and changing the world."  

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