Dance Marathon Helps Children With Cancer

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 21, 2005) -- A new leadership opportunity is available to University of Kentucky students. Starting this semester, an initiative will be launched to start a dance marathon for charity in conjunction with the UK Student Volunteer Center.

An informational meeting to form a steering committee will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, in room 245 of the UK Student Center. This forum will include a brief information session, a video of the largest dance marathon in the country (www.THON.org), and a question/answer session. Applications will be available to volunteer for committees and leadership positions.

Dance marathons are held on campuses throughout the nation. UK’s will be modeled after the original dance marathon held at Pennsylvania State University, which raised more than $3.5 million in 2004 for children’s cancer. UK’s dance marathon is open to all students, organizations and interested faculty and staff. Proceeds will benefit the Golden Matrix Fund, in support of UK’s Pediatric Hematology Oncology programs, which include research, education and patient care initiatives for Kentucky children with cancer and blood-related diseases. For more information, contact Susannah Denomme at (859) 323-5184 or by e-mail at susannah@email.uky.edu.