Ellie Nelson

Why We Dance

The University of Louisville's raiseRED Dance Marathon exists to bring hope and support to children and families battling pediatric cancer and blood disorders. As a Miracle Network Dance Marathon, raiseRED empowers students, doctors, and staff to make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected.

Our mission goes beyond fundraising; it's about creating a network of care and compassion that extends year-round, offering vital resources and a sense of solidarity.

Our efforts are celebrated at our annual 12-hour dance marathon at UofL, which will take place Feb. 21, 2026. Last year, raiseRED raised over $533,000, as we celebrated our 12th annual dance marathon.

Impact

Gifts to raiseRED are equally split between patient needs at Norton Children’s Cancer Institute and research conducted at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

RaiseRED is fortunate to be able to support patients and families at NCCI at all points of their journey from diagnosis, to treatment, and beyond. In the past we have provided critical funding to support the hiring of clinical staff, including a social worker, and bringing in a facility dog. In addition, raiseRED funds a snack cart and a variety of patient needs to support their treatment days and appointments.

Funds designated for research support pediatric hematology and oncology doctors and researchers in their innovative research to make strides towards finding effective therapies leading to cures for patients. Current initiatives raiseRED helps fund include technology to develop a blood-based biomarker of disease remanence or recurrence in pediatric solid tumors and brain tumors and growing the pipeline of models for the study of novel therapies in the lab.

RaiseRED thanks you for your support in changing kids' health to change the future!