Twirl Gives Back: DanceBlue

Friends! We are SO excited to share with you what will be going on tomorrow (December 3rd). One of our consultants and our current intern are heavily involved in DanceBlue at the University of Kentucky. Hearing their hearts for this causes has only made our hearts explode more & more. We are overjoyed to share that we will having a "Twirl Gives Back" Saturday tomorrow to help raise funds for DanceBlue! We had our sweet consultant, Kaylee Hobbs, who is the PR chair for DB share her heart with y'all and give some info all about this incredible event & fundraiser. Hear all about it below!


This Saturday, December 3rd, Twirl is supporting the mission of DanceBlue by donating 10% of the profit made from dresses sold to DanceBlue. I, Kaylee Hobbs, am a senior at UK and currently serve as the Public Relations Chair for DanceBlue and have been involved with the organization since I was a freshman at the University of Kentucky.

DanceBlue is a University of Kentucky student run organization that fundraises year-round and culminates in a 24-hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon. All the money that is raised through DanceBlue is donated to the Golden Matrix Fund, which then works to support the kids of the DanceBlue Kentucky Children's Hospital Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic, as well as support of research at the UK Markey Cancer Center.

Through my chair position, I have had the opportunity to volunteer in the DanceBlue clinic to help alleviate the burdens of cancer placed on the kids and their families. Normally I spend my time playing with kids during their chemo treatments, making crafts, and offering a helping hand wherever needed. One of my most special memories in the clinic was when a young girl was telling me her dreams of opening her own boutique and selling “clothes with sparkles”. Of course, I told her all about Twirl. Whether it be laughing together at YouTube videos, playing monopoly, or having a warhead eating contest on Halloween (I totally lost), I am honored to be let in to such an intimate part of these kids’ lives.

Childhood cancer not only affects the child physically, but it also creates many emotional and financial difficulties for the entire family. The goal of the Golden Matrix Fund is to provide care and support for the kids through giving them and their parent's comfort.

Through 11 years of DanceBlue, more than $9.8 million has been raised to support this cause. This fund has been able to allow the hiring of vital staff in the clinic such as a Child life Specialist who provides encouragement and distraction to help the child emotionally handle their diagnosis and the treatments. Additionally, a school intervention specialist has been brought on as an advocate for the patients within schools to ensure they do not fall behind in classes as a result of their treatment.

Finally, the support of the Golden Matrix Fund has recently allowed for the construction of a new pediatric hematology oncology clinic that will expand the capacity of the clinic as well as provide a more convenient and comfortable experience for the families.

The DanceBlue 2017 marathon is February 25th to 26th, 8p to 8pm in Memorial Coliseum. All community members are welcome and encouraged to attend and get a glimpse of the magic that is DanceBlue.

To learn more about DanceBlue visit, www.danceblue.org or follow them on Instagram, @UK_DanceBlue, Facebook, @DanceBlue, or Twitter, @UKDanceBlue. 


So if you're shopping with us tomorrow, know that your lovely dollars are going to an amazing cause! And if you want to just swing by the shop & drop off a donation, please know it will joyfully welcomed & appreciated! XOXO