History: Growth and Support through Commitment and Action
An Introduction
In the fall of 2004, several UK student organizations responded to an organizational forum to explore the possibility of starting a dance marathon at UK. The forum was led by Jennifer Mynear, whose son, Jarrett, energized and inspired the recent overwhelming community support in renovating the UK Children's Cancer Clinic. Jarrett, who died in October 2002 at age 13 after an 11-year battle with cancer, made an indelible impression across Kentucky and our nation. Jennifer's mission was to involve college students in a most endearing crusade, both to the state of Kentucky and to her own heart: childhood cancer. Prominent leadership groups across UK's campus were inspired to recruit organizers for this new cancer campaign, and met with enthusiastic support at all levels. Organizers found a welcome home for this new event at the UK Student Volunteer Center.
DanceBlue Mission
It is the mission of the University of Kentucky Dance Marathon "DanceBlue" to create a multi-faceted organization that operates through the support and leadership of the students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community. The organization enhances the lives of children and families suffering from childhood cancer through the Golden Matrix Fund, and therefore serves the Bluegrass by assisting those treated at the University of Kentucky Pediatric Oncology Clinic. Furthermore, DanceBlue strives to establish a continued tradition, invoke appreciation and involvement, and ultimately create something greater than oneself.
DanceBlue History
The first ever 24 hour, no sitting, no sleeping, University of Kentucky Dance Marathon, DanceBlue, took place February 10-11th, 2006. More than 30 student organization and over 180 dancers flooded into Memorial Coliseum to kick off the event at 9pm. With the help of over 100 UK students, faculty, staff and administration, DanceBlue was able to become the most successful student-run philanthropy event in UK's history. In the first year, DanceBlue raised for $123,323.16 for the UK Pediatric Oncology Clinic! With this total, DanceBlue also broke all fundraising records for a first-year dance marathon event! In 2007, DanceBlue solidified its presence on UK's campus. DanceBlue displayed exponential growth: 60 student organizations, 317 student dancers, and $241,514.64 raised! Planning for DanceBlue 2008 is underway! Look forward to a series of year long fundraising events which will culminate with another 24 hour dance marathon in the spring of 2008. If you want to help write the history of next years DanceBlue events please send an email to UKDanceBlue@gmail.com.
Golden Matrix Fund History
Jarrett Mynear was born on April 16, 1989. He was smart, quick witted, energetic and enthusiastic. He made friends wherever he went and whenever he went. He became a renowned humanitarian, a successful public speaker, and a local celebrity. He made appearances on the Rosie O'Donnell show, walked president Clinton's dog, started his own philanthropic organization, Jarrett's Joy Cart, and witnessed the creation of his biography, The Joy Cart by Marvin Bartlett. What made Jarrett special was his undying spirit, his ability to cope with difficult, life-threatening situations, and his devotion to helping others. What made Jarrett different was that he was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, at the age of 2. His leg was amputated by age 3 and he was diagnosed with various forms of cancer 6 times by the time he was 13.
While Jarrett is no longer with us, his legacy lives on through his spirit, his charitable contributions, and various projects and funds in his name. The Jarrett Mynear Fund starting collecting donations in late 2002 for the renovation of the Pediatric Oncology Clinic at the University of Kentucky. Now, just three years later, the new, fully operational clinic is open to the 2,500 Kentucky patients it sees each year. Upon the initial completion of the construction phase, however, it became obvious that while the new clinic was a vital component in the actual treatment of pediatric oncology, there were many aspects of cancer still left unaffected by the generosity of the JMF. An umbrella fund was thus established, the Golden Matrix Fund, one that would provide families with emotional support throughout their battle with cancer, and support cancer research. Gold is both the color associated with childhood cancer and was ironically Jarrett's favorite color. The Matrix component also has a two-fold meaning. Due to its exclusive association with DanceBlue, the term "matrix" describes a fabrication of various components coming together to build a greater whole, similar to the impact that the dance marathon will have on the community. On a more personal note, The Matrix was also Jarrett's favorite movie. As his mother remarks, he couldn't wait until the release of "Reloaded." He unfortunately passed before it came to a theater, but she believes he has found the full series and an entertainment system that is truly out of this world.
Explanation of the Fund
The Golden Matrix Fund was created to benefit the University of Kentucky Pediatric Oncology Clinic patients and families. Childhood cancer not only affects the child physically, but also creates many emotional and financial difficulties for the entire family. Children who have cancer make routine visits to the hospital and have to undergo countless tests and procedures regularly, all the while trying to fit in with their peers. Families affected by childhood cancer are faced with countless added stressors to their daily lives: paying medical bills, obtaining transportation to and from hospital visits, taking time off work to care for their children and the emotional affects on other siblings. The Golden Matrix Fund is used to alleviate some of these issues that childhood cancer can create. The fund will help the families of the UK Pediatric Oncology Clinic receive better care, better support, and give the children back to their childhood. As the fund has grown, it is also supporting pediatric cancer research and specialized clinic staff.