DanceBlue

DanceBlue is a University of Kentucky student-led organization that raises funds year-round and culminates with a 24-hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon. The funds raised through DanceBlue are donated to UK's Golden Matrix Fund, which works to support the kids of the DanceBlue Kentucky Children's Hospital Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic. Fundraising also supports the year-long fundraising engine and operations that underpin the mission, as well as provides funds for basic cancer research at the UK Markey Cancer Center. DanceBlue has become the largest student philanthropy event in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and one of the fastest-growing dance marathons in the United States.

The Golden Matrix Fund was created to benefit the DanceBlue KCH Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic patients and families. 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 by bringing comfort to both patients and their families.

Through 16 years of DanceBlue, more than $18 million has been raised to support this cause. In addition to small but important patient support programs such as the "Beads of Courage" program that each child receives after cancer treatments, 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 has expanded the capacity of the clinic as well as providing a more convenient and comfortable experience for the families.