I Found Hope on the (U)Dance Floor

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending UDance at the University of Delaware, and my heart is still full.

For the past six years, UDance has been part of my life. It began when my older daughter was a freshman and continued through my younger daughter’s senior year. Year after year, I’ve watched, supported, and stood in awe of something truly extraordinary.

UDance is a 12-hour dance marathon - but it is so much more than an event. It is a movement of compassion, resilience, and love.

Each year, I am deeply moved by the dedication of these college students. These are young people who come together not just to raise money, but to lift the spirits of children battling cancer and to support their families. Their energy is contagious, and their commitment is unwavering.

This year felt especially meaningful. It marked the 20th anniversary of UDance, and witnessing its growth over the years has been nothing short of inspiring. What started as a powerful idea has grown into something immense - this year raising over $1.7 million for childhood cancer research.

And honestly, this experience came at just the right time for me. Lately, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed and, if I’m being honest, a little hopeless. It’s easy to get caught up in everything that feels heavy in the world.

But standing there, surrounded by these students, these families, and these incredible children, something shifted.

In a world that feels so divided and so uncertain, UDance is a shining example of what is possible when people come together for a purpose greater than themselves. It is a reminder that kindness still exists in abundance. That empathy is alive and well.

And perhaps most importantly - it is a testament to the next generation.

These students are not waiting to make a difference someday. They are doing it now.

They are leading with heart. They are showing up. They are choosing unity over division and compassion over indifference.

They are the future, and they give me hope for humanity.

Our family will continue to support UDance and the B+ Foundation, not just because of the incredible impact they have on childhood cancer research, but because of what they represent: the very best of who we can be.

There is so much we can learn from this younger generation - about service, about community, and about what truly matters.

And if you ask me, the future looks brighter because of them.