DanceBlue raises over 2 million dollars for the DanceBlue pediatric oncology clinic on April 19, 2026. Photo by Carter Skaggs | UKphoto
The University of Kentucky’s 24-hour dance marathon fundraiser, known as DanceBlue, raised a record-breaking $2.4 million for childhood cancer this weekend.
The event, which took place at Rupp Arena this year, started at 8 p.m. Saturday and lasted overnight and through most of the day Sunday. The university said more than 700 UK students danced during the 24-hour event, which raised a total of $2,463,650.24 for UK’s DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic.
The total broke last year’s amount and the former record of $2.3 million. Since DanceBlue began in 2006, the fundraiser has collected more than $27 million for the clinic.
“I’m overjoyed watching the reveal,” Bailey said. “It brings a deep sense of gratitude for the committee, the community and the clinic,” Josie Bailey, DanceBlue overall chair, said in a news release. “More than anything, it is meaningful knowing that the funds raised will directly support the kids and the clinic.”
DanceBlue is UK’s largest student-run philanthropic effort. It was created in memory of Jarrett Mynear, a patient of the clinic who died in 2002.
Mynear’s final request was to raise money to improve the clinic. All funds raised from DancceBlue go toward the clinic. The organization also raises money year-round, culminated with the no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon.
“DanceBlue is so much more than a year-long fundraising effort that ends in a 24-hour marathon,” Morgan David, DanceBlue marketing chair, said in the news release. “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.”
