HC students and faculty band together to support UK DanceBlue
A recent 5k fundraiser for the popular DanceBlue charity has drawn in students and teachers from here at Henry Clay to help in whatever they can.
DanceBlue is a UK-based student organization that helps to promote awareness and raises money for pediatric cancer patients. This charity recently had a 5k to raise money for their treatment centers. An HC sophomore, Elena Andrews, started a lemonade stand to try to give as much as she could.
“[I] went to DanceBlue in 2008 [and] went to Memorial Hour,” Elena said, “[This is] where they remember kids who died of cancer. I asked my dad [if] they died, ‘Yes,’ he said, I wanted to help, and to my 7 year-old-self, a lemonade stand seemed like the best thing to do.”
Elena has worked with different benefactors to receive materials and donations to help DanceBlue and keeps nothing for herself.
“We usually get donations from businesses around Lexington or our materials,” Elena said, “Everything that we make goes directly to DanceBlue. We don’t keep any of it at all.”
This want and drive to give back to DanceBlue runs in the Andrews whole family, with Elena’s mother also helping with this charity, and for good reason.
“[We] became involved when my youngest was diagnosed with a blood disorder,” HC English teacher Jessica Andrews said. “Whenever you go into the [DanceBlue] clinic there is nothing but love and kindness… I am very thankful for that.”
After Ms. Andrews became involved with DanceBlue, she began volunteering with the charity and has brought her work to HC.
“I am a sponsor for the DanceBlue committee [at HC],” Ms. Andrews said. “We raise money throughout the year and then donate it to DanceBlue at UK… through mini [dance] marathons.”
The recent 5k was just one of the multiple charity events. HC senior Nicholas Joseph ran along with 1500 racers, and also participates on the leadership committee for HC’s DanceBlue.
“DanceBlue is a program at UK that raises awareness for pediatric cancer,” Joseph said. “It’s good, and helps [kids] be able to participate in things they wouldn’t otherwise and raises money and awareness.”
DanceBlue is still working to raise as much as possible for the children affected by cancer in Kentucky and is going to have a 24 hour dance marathon in February. DanceBlue is also hosting a charity event at Chipotle at on Oct. 10 in which 50% of all proceeds are given to the DanceBlue Fund. This event is being held from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Chipotle at 2905 Richmond Road. Tell the cashier you’re supporting the cause to donate.