TINY TIGERS: Participants and spectators alike enjoyed Dance For A Cure on Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Broken Arrow High School Gymnasium. More than 450 young people participated to generate more than $16,000 for the American Cancer Society/BA Relay For Life.
Courtesy DIANE BLANKENSHIP
Shortly after Kim Miller-Clark’s father lost his battle with cancer in April 2006, the owner of Pom Zone on South Main Street in Broken Arrow decided she and her sister, Kristi Spaethe, should do something in loving memory of their father that would assist in the fight against cancer.
One out of every two Oklahomans will engage in battle against some form of cancer in their lifetime.
In 2006, Miller-Clark founded Dance For A Cure and the first benefit performance took place in 2007, raising more than $10,000 for the Broken Arrow Relay For Life. Relay For Life is the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society and more than 3.5 million Americans will participate in 4,800 events nationwide this year. The money raised will be used for cancer research, education, advocacy and to assist cancer survivors and their families through numerous ACS services and programs.
Pom Zone is both a Corporate Sponsor and Team Sponsor of the Broken Arrow Relay For Life.
Jan. 19 marked the second annual Dance For A Cure event. More than $16,000 was raised and will benefit the American Cancer Society through the 2008 Broken Arrow Relay For Life Event.
More than 450 area youth and teens performed dance routines for parents and spectators at the Broken Arrow High School Gymnasium during the four-hour Dance For A Cure. Miller-Clark expressed her appreciation for the program’s success by thanking coaches, parents, supporters and the young people who participated.
“Your help in making Dance For A Cure such a great success is so appreciated,” she told patrons. “The youth of today can, and are, making a difference. This is a great opportunity for local dance teams and pom squads to come together for a day of unity and do something to aid in the battle against cancer. I’m really proud of all our youth and their supporters who contributed to making our second annual event such a tremendous success.”
Alison Dunn, chairperson of the 2008 Broken Arrow Relay For Life Event, kicked off the day’s event by thanking all participants, family members and friends for their support.
“I am certain that there is no one here today who has not had or does not know someone who has had cancer. Together we can win this fight and one day make the world cancer free,” Dunn told the audience.
The official 2008 Kick Off for the BA Relay For Life is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5750 S. Elm Place in Broken Arrow. Anyone involved with, or interested in learning more about, Relay For Life is invited to attend.
The 11th Annual BA Relay For Life event is scheduled for Friday, June 6 at the South Intermediate High School Track and Field, 301 W. New Orleans in Broken Arrow. Formal opening ceremonies will commence at 7 p.m. with entertainment and activities scheduled throughout the night. Teams are now forming.
For more information, contact Marcy Beeman of the American Cancer Society at (918) 743-6767.
