LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 19, 2026) – “Joy Prevails” this weekend at Rupp Arena as University of Kentucky students celebrated this year’s record-breaking DanceBlue fundraising total of $2,463,650.24. With this year’s total, DanceBlue has raised more than $27 million since it began in 2006.
Beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday night, more than 700 UK students gathered on the floor of Rupp Arena standing and dancing for 24 hours in solidarity with the patients and families of the UK Golisano Children’s DanceBlue Hematology-Oncology Clinic.
In previous years, the home of the DanceBlue marathon has been at Historic Memorial Coliseum. As the organization continues to grow, their hope is to establish Rupp Arena as DanceBlue’s new home to allow more students to participate in the event.
“DanceBlue’s growth and its ability to reach more people each year is something that is truly amazing,” said Josie Bailey, DanceBlue overall chair. “As we enter a new decade of DanceBlue, we’ve been especially focused on expanding that impact so even more individuals can experience the hope, joy and love that comes from this event.”
Many dancers spent their entire school year fundraising and attending DanceBlue events to gain spirit points and secure their place in the 24-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon.
At the end of the 24 hours, the dancers gather with anticipation as the final fundraising total is revealed live on stage.
“I’m overjoyed watching the reveal,” Bailey said. “It brings a deep sense of gratitude for the committee, the community and the clinic. More than anything, it is meaningful knowing that the funds raised will directly support the kids and the clinic.”
DanceBlue was founded in 2006 in memory of clinic patient Jarrett Mynear. His final request to his parents was to do something to help the clinic.
“Witnessing the authentic joy that DanceBlue brings to the clinic is an experience that is impossible to describe,” said Morgan David, DanceBlue marketing chair. “The joy seeps through every level of this organization. There are so many other things college students could occupy their time with, yet we have volunteers in the clinic every single day and students willing to dance 24 hours for something bigger than themselves. I’ve loved getting to surround myself with peers that have such strong hearts, seeing their impact in the clinic is why I continue to fall in love with DanceBlue every day.”
After 21 years of dancing for the kids, DanceBlue continues to spread joy to those fighting, honor the lives lost and celebrate every victory until children no longer have to fight against pediatric cancer.
“DanceBlue is so much more than a year-long fundraising effort that ends in a 24-hour marathon,” David said. “It’s a community and a cause that changes people’s hearts and lives forever. There’s a reason ‘Joy Prevails,’ and it’s because we’re all in this together.”
All the success of the organization and the marathon wouldn’t be possible without the devoted community support each year.
“Thank you to anyone who donated, volunteered or played a role in making this happen,” Bailey said. “Your support helps continue the mission of DanceBlue and the hope it brings to so many.”
For more information on this year’s marathon or how to get involved next year, visit DanceBlue.org.
