University of Kentucky hosts successful 24-hour dance marathon to benefit DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic

Rupp Arena at the University of Kentucky was the stage for a 24-hour dance marathon that benefited the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic. The annual event has been happening since 2006 thanks to DanceBlue, a student-run organization that raises money for treatments for pediatric patients at the Kentucky Children’s Hospital.

According to an article on the University of Kentucky’s website, UKY student Caroline Sumner, who is serving as the overall chair of DanceBlue this year, described the goal of the dance marathon event. She was quoted as saying, “Our goal is to inspire hope and keep fighting until every single kiddo triumphantly rings the bell. In the meantime, we do everything we can to support them. Jarrett Mynear said it best, ‘In a moment of joy there is healing,’ and DanceBlue really is the embodiment of joy.”

Sumner is one of the many University of Kentucky students who take part in the DanceBlue organization that puts on the marathons every year. There are various committees to help the organization stay organized, like a committee for fundraising and a committee for mini-marathons. Participating in DanceBlue is popular on campus and a worthwhile cause for students to help honor the legacy of Jarrett Mynear.

As outlined on DanceBlue’s website, Jarrett Mynear was a pediatric cancer patient at Kentucky Children’s Hospital. He had been diagnosed with several forms of cancer and passed away in 2002 at the age of 13. One of his final wishes was to find a way to improve the Pediatric Oncology Outpatient Clinic at Kentucky Children’s Hospital. Jarrett’s mom Jennifer and Susannah Denomme of the University of Kentucky Office of Development eventually put DanceBlue into place by introducing dance marathons that would raise money for the clinic. 

This year’s DanceBlue dance marathon was 24 hours during which 800 University of Kentucky students couldn’t sit or sleep; they could only stand or dance. The participants were standing in solidarity with pediatric patients while raising money to improve their experience at the Kentucky Children’s Hospital.

“The marathon is a heartwarming sight. It's hard to put into words, but it really is so much more than an organization or another fundraiser. It's a way of life, we spread joy,” said Sumner.

For more information about the University of Kentucky, visit the school’s website.