Dancin' Divas raises more than $20,000 for Norton Children'

Proceeds benefit local pediatric neuroscience research and treatment

PADUCAH, Kentucky (Nov. 9, 2023) - Dancin' Divas raised $20,480 to benefit Norton Children's Hospital during its "Dancing Through the Decades" fundraiser on Saturday, November 4, putting the group's total support at over $100,000 since they began raising money for the hospital in 2015.

The funds raised during Saturday's event will support pediatric neuroscience research and treatment at Norton Children's Hospital, which serves thousands of patients in Western Kentucky.

"We are thrilled to donate more than $20,000 to Norton Children's Hospital this year," Dancin' Divas Founder Kelly Davis said. "This year marks another successful fundraising event made possible by our dedicated team of sponsors, donors, and, of course, dancers."

Attendees enjoyed food, music, live performances and a silent auction. The theme was centered on "Dancing Through the Decades" and took audience members on a trip down memory lane through the dance and musical styles of previous years.

This year's honoree, 13-year-old Whitney Warren, was diagnosed with juvenile absence epilepsy in November 2021. Whitney has a history of juvenile absence epilepsy, her seizures started in Nov 2021. Her epilepsy was initially medication resistant and it took several combinations to get her seizures under control. Throughout her epilepsy journey, Whitney has been brave, determined, and resilient.

"Whitney is a brave young girl, and her resilient zest to live life to the fullest is such an inspiration," said Dana Matukas, Norton Children's Western Kentucky Region Communications Project Manager. "The continued support from Dancin' Divas bolsters our mission and ensures kids like Whitney can get the care they need."

Dancin' Divas has raised $107,005 for Norton Children's Hospital since inception. The fundraiser began after former dance troupe member Desiree Fisher's daughter, Jade Cain, was diagnosed with a rare brain disorder in 2012 at the age of 11. Following surgery, Jade received an experimental treatment at Norton Children's Hospital to help eliminate radiation necrosis, where brain tissue around the lesion becomes injured and dies causing severe headaches, vomiting, cognitive problems and neural dysfunction. Thanks to Jade's outcome, Norton Children's Neuroscience Institute launched a clinical trial to aid other children facing the same diagnosis.

Next year's Dancin' Divas fundraiser is scheduled for Nov. 2, 2024.

"Dancing Through the Decades" was made possible by the hard work and dedication of volunteers and support from these sponsors: All Around Home Improvement & Roofing, Darling Ingredients, Kiwanis Club of Paducah, D's Garage Door Services, Taco Bell Missouri Fiesta, Inc., Walker Hall Events Center, Bass Maintenance, Camp-A-Rama, Elite Pain & Spine, Lee's Heating & Air, Inc, Marquette Transportation Company, Taco John's in Benton, Bridge Street Paducah, Madisonville, Mayfield and Murray, Terri and Tim Gentry, Ryan Rhekemper, West Towne Pharmacy, Williams & Lentz Certified Public Accountants, Bluegrass Event Planning, Cora White, Cox's Lawn Care, Dairy Hill, DT&J RTO, LLC, Four Rivers Internal Medicine, Jason & Samantha Duke, Justin Puckett of Kentucky Farm Bureau of Ballard County, LA Oasis, Dr. Nathan Bowless, Heine, Heine & Bowles Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Newton Outdoor Service, Phoenix Paper, Rivercrest Place Assisted Living, Rudolph Brothers Group of Baird, Story Electric Services, Inc., Twitch Affiliate: X Galaxy Glitch x, Unlimited Graphics and Urban Edge Salon.

About Norton Children's

As the need for expert pediatric care has grown in our region, so has the footprint of Norton Children's. It comprises two hospitals, local and regional outpatient centers, and Norton Children's Medical Group -- a network of primary and specialty care practices with over 500 pediatric providers across more than 170 locations. Currently serving more than 215,000 patients on average per year, including more than 93,000 pediatric emergency care visits and nearly 13,000 pediatric surgeries, Norton Children's provides comprehensive care for children of all ages across the region.

Located in downtown Louisville, the 300-bed Norton Children's Hospital is the region's only full-service, free-standing pediatric hospital, the only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center in Kentucky and serves as the primary pediatric teaching facility for the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Norton Children's Hospital provides a complete range of services for children, including pediatric intensive care and one of the nation's largest Level IV neonatal intensive care units.

Norton Children's relies on support from the community through the Norton Children's Hospital Foundation. The foundation raises funds to support critical programs, purchase new equipment and technologies, fund clinical research, expand regional programs, build or enhance facilities and helps to make our advanced facilities and many specialized services available to all families regardless of their ability to pay. More information is available at NortonChildrens.com.