Ashburn’s Studio Bleu to Participate in iDance4aCure Marathon Saturday

A dance marathon at Studio Bleu Dance Center in Ashburn Saturday night aims to raise awareness about childhood cancer as well as money to pay for research.

The studio has partnered with The Truth 365, and the Brad Kaminsky Foundation to form Dancers VS. Cancer, and participation in the iDance4aCure Dance Marathons will serve as the inaugural event. For iDance4aCure, dancers from Studio Bleu, 20660 Ashburn Road, and eight other East Coast dance studios will dance all night – 6 p.m. Nov. 16 to 6 a.m. Nov. 17 – to raise money for the cause. Each dancer has committed to raise at least $100.

As of today, the iDance4aCure has raised nearly $54,000 nationally. Studio Bleu accounts for more than $30,000, with three days to go.

“The Brad Kaminsky Foundation is thrilled to work with all of these amazing dance studios, who nurture their students love of dance, but also provide them the opportunity to help children with their gift of dance,” Lisa Kaminsky, founder of the Brad Kaminsky Foundation, said is a press release about the event.

Communities across Loudoun pulled together to help the families of Gavin Rupp and Gabriella Miller, each of whom lived out big dreams as they battled cancer.

“Sadly, too many of our Studio Bleu families have been touched by cancer,” Studio Bleu owner Kimberly Rishi said in the release. “We are excited to be united with other committed dancers and join the fight against childhood cancer. We are dancers vs. cancer!  It’s time to put an end to this terrible disease.”    

While seven children die from cancer each day, the American Cancer Society allocates 1 percent or less to pediatric cancer research while the government allocates only 4 percent of cancer funding to pediatric research, according to information provide by Studio Bleu.

Proceeds raised during Studio Bleu's iDance4aCure Marathon will go to the Children’s National Medical Center to fund pediatric cancer research projects with an emphasis on less toxic treatments.  

“I am dancing for my friend Gabriella,” dancer Sarah Hall said in the press release, referring to her friend Gabriella Miller. “She made me truly believe that children can make a difference in the fight against cancer. We just have to speak up. Our voices are loud and our hearts are big!”

For more information on the national Dancers vs. Cancer or iDance4aCure, please contact Terre Hall at 703.973.0519 or terrehall4aCure@gmail.com.