Dancing for a Cure is stepping out to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Dancing for a Cure is a crusade inspired by and in honor of two special women: one who lost her life to NHL in 1985, and the other who was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2007, and is now in remission. The importance of a fundraising campaign is never realized until a loved one or friend is afflicted. Through community support, friends, family, and those who just love dance, we have raised over $35,000 in two years.

Did you know?

• Every 4 minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer, and every 10 minutes someone dies from it
• More than 785,000 Americans have leukemia, Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma or myeloma
• The Society is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services

Events

2010

2nd annual Dance-a-thon

2009

1st annual Dance-a-thon

2008

Dancing with the Stars

Atlantic City Kickoff

LLS Gala at Philadelphia

Press

• May, 2009 — CEO Invites Community to Dance for a Cure (Journal News, NY)
• May, 2008 — Dancing with a Star... For a Cure (Dance Beat, FL)
• October, 2006 — When the Watercooler Is a Water Hazard (ABC News, NY)
• December, 2006 — Dancing a Fine Line (Bergen Record, NJ)

Daniella's Story

From ballet to ballroom, Daniella Koren's dance steps have made a difference—in her life and in the lives of those suffering from leukemia and lymphoma. In March, 2008, as a mother, business owner, and amateur ballroom dance competitor, Daniella began "Dancing for a Cure"- a national crusade in cooperation with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Dancing for a Cure honors two very special women: Daniella's mother in law, who lost her life to Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 1985, and her own mother, Rita, who was diagnosed in 2007 with Hodgkin's disease.

As founder and president of DKI (dkidirect.com), specializing in healthcare marketing for more than 20 years and a leader in patient education and empowerment for more than 11 years, Daniella has firsthand experience educating and empowering cancer patients. But when her mother was diagnosed with Hodgkin's, she felt helpless. She knew what questions to ask the doctor, and how to make her mother feel comfortable during her first chemo treatments, but it didn't seem like enough.

She felt compelled to make a personal difference and improve the survival rate and quality of life both for her mother and for the larger community who suffer from the disease. Combining her passion for competitive ballroom dance and patient relationship marketing expertise, she created Dancing for a Cure, to help spread the message of staying healthy inside and out through dance, a growing cause, which continues to instill hope across the country.

Taking personal time for self fulfillment, she sets the standard by carving out time to dance. She participated in her first dance competition in 2006, and continuously perfects her fox trot, tango, waltz and Viennese waltz. This passion has led to dancing competitively across the country, and in November, 2009, she became the World Pro/Am Smooth Champion.

In May, 2009, as testament to both her tireless fundraising dedication and her competitive spirit, Daniella was honored as Woman of the Year for the NJ Chapter of The LLS. During a 10 week campaign, she raised $20,000, and will continue working with the LLS to raise funds and offer hope to those afflicted with blood cancers.

Sergey Tarsenko's Story

In 2000 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease in Ukraine where I was living with my wife. We were dance studio owners there, and were teaching ballroom after a professional career in dance. My doctor recommended chemotherapy, and after this treatment I went into remission for a year and a half. In 2003 my lymphoma came back, and still living in Ukraine, I started the treatment again—this time chemotherapy and radiation. During this time, I never stopped dancing and working, and once again, I went into remission thinking the cancer was gone forever. During this time, we were invited to immigrate to the United States and work as dance teachers. I thought the cancer would never come back again, that it was gone forever.

In December 2006, I felt strange and started experiencing high fevers. I consulted with a physician here and my blood tests confirmed that the lymphoma was back again. Once more, I started chemotherapy. Before my first dose I made sure that I was able to work on the studio showcase with my students, and didn't stop dancing. Once my treatment started, I would go to the hospital at 7AM, do the treatment, and start teaching and dancing at 1PM on the same day. I was determined not to stop working despite the lymphoma and chemotherapy. I never stopped competing either, which takes a lot of strength and emotions, even though sometimes I felt very tired.

My whole life I have been very active, and I love to dance. I want to continue to live as normal a life as possible. Dance gives me a lot of energy, but moreover, my students give me something that is difficult to explain. They give me the will and the energy to continue every time.

In August my doctor recommended that I travel to Boston for a second opinion. There I had a stem cell transplant, and I stayed in Boston for 6 weeks. All I could think about was going home to my wife, my students, my dance. The doctor told me that I would not be able to dance for one year, but after 4 months I started dancing again. He was amazed! I believe that my strong will and power of the mind over body compelled me to heal faster than expected. My students sent cards to me while I was in the hospital, and I put them on the wall in my room. They gave me so much support and energy, that when I came home, I put the cards up on the wall in my home just like at the hospital.

Now I can work a full day, I can eat the foods that I enjoy, and I appreciate every moment. I continue to live for my wife, and she helped me through her love and commitment to keep believing.

My message to others who are suffering with cancer is twofold:

1. Find people in your life that can help by giving you love and positive energy. Whether it's your wife, a grandparent, or a child, take their support.
2. Find something in your life that is interesting. Something that you like to do—it doesn't matter what it is. It could be dance, golf, reading—just keep your mind off of your diagnosis, and put your efforts into doing things that you love.