DanceBlue Collects a Lot of Green

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 14, 2006) − They danced, they cheered, they sang, they laughed, they cried. But they didn’t rest, they didn’t sleep, and they never gave up.

After a single year of fundraising that ended with a 24-hour, no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon, 180 University of Kentucky students accomplished an inspiring achievement – $123,323 for the Pediatric Oncology Clinic at the UK HealthCare’s Chandler Medical Center. DanceBlue, the UK Student Volunteer Center’s new student-run philanthropy, involved thousands in more than 50 student organizations raising money on behalf of the Golden Matrix Fund. The fund provides families who have a child with cancer with emotional support and financial aid, and supports pediatric cancer research at UK.

In addition to fundraising, 15 organizations are involved with the Adopt-A-Family program, which pairs students with the families of pediatric cancer patients. Students provide emotional support for the families and organize fun activities for the patients and siblings.

“I am in total awe of our students’ grassroots fundraising achievement for the UK Pediatric Oncology Clinic. But beyond that, I am full of pride for the intangible support our students show every day to the young cancer patients and their families who come to our campus. It’s a relatively easy thing to give money, but to give one’s time and one’s heart … Well, that’s what being a good citizen is all about,” said UK President Lee T. Todd Jr.

Speaking to the dancers and volunteers at the Saturday night finale, Dr. Jeffrey A. Moscow, director of the Pediatric Oncology Clinic, said, “To your everlasting credit, (you) have chosen to reach out to these kids, to see them as part of your community, and you decided that you were going to make a difference in their lives. You have taken the vision of one campus, one community, and turned it into a reality. In doing so, you have turned love into reality and you have put your faith into action.

“Now, when kids drive to our clinic or to the hospital, they drive through a campus and know that the students on this campus care about them, and care enough to help them. That is a powerful message, and it is powerfully felt,” said Moscow, who is professor of pediatrics and chief of pediatric hematology-oncology at UK.

The money students raised will go to help improve the facilities and services for  pediatric cancer patients at UK Chandler Medical Center, including an additional social worker and researching ways to improve cancer treatment.

At the closing ceremony Saturday night, several student organizations were singled out for special recognition. For overall spirit and collecting the most contributions to DanceBlue, Phi Delta Theta won the Golden Matrix Cup. The Overall Small Group winner was the Latin American Student Organization; the Overall Medium Group winner was the Student Development Council; and the Overall Large Group winner was Alpha Phi Omega.

In addition, individual fundraising and spirit awards went to: 

Small Group Fundraising

1. Latin American Student Organization

2. Martin School

3. Student Athletics Association Council

4. Lambda Kappa Sigma

5. Business & Economics Ambassadors

Medium Group Fundraising

1. Phi Delta Theta

2. Fiji

3. Student Development Council

4. Habitat

5. Arts & Sciences Ambassadors

Large Group Fundraising

1. Kappa Delta

2. Chi Omega

3. Alpha Phi Omega

4. Sigma Pi

5. Kappa Alpha Theta

Small Group Spirit

1. Latin American Student Organization

2. Business & Economics Ambassadors

3. Lambda Kappa Sigma

4. Martin School

5. Relay for Life

Medium Group Spirit

1. Phi Delta Theta

2. Student Development Council

3. Arts & Sciences Ambassadors

4. Fiji

5. Alpha Tau Omega

Large Group Spirit

1. Alpha Phi Omega

2. Sigma Phi Epsilon

3. Chi Omega

4. Black Student Union

5. Pi Beta Phi