Ten Darien residents, each representing a different social, civic, service, or religious organization, stepped outside of their comfort zones, volunteered countless hours, and took to the dance floor alongside professional partners. Their dedication, courage, and enthusiasm were all in support of an inspiring cause; raising funds for our local Cancer Smashers, a group of Darien residents who have all been touched by the horrible disease, cancer, in one way or another, and are motivated to make a difference.
More than 280 guests filled the banquet hall, enjoying a full-course dinner, a four-hour open bar, and the opportunity to give back through a gift raffle, a split the pot raffle and a chance to support their favorite dancer with a monetary contribution that addressed our cancer research mission. I was honored to emcee the event and I opened the evening by sharing the purpose behind the event, and the excitement grew from there. Guests were first treated to a lively performance by “alums” from past Dancing with the Darien Starz events, setting the tone for a night filled with entertainment and community spirit.
Thanks to the generosity of our dancers, guests and sponsors, this event resulted in a donation of nearly $11,000 for Cancer Smashers, an amazing accomplishment that speaks volumes about the compassion and unity of our community. Established in 2011, the Cancer Smashers have made it their mission to fund basic science cancer research to find a cure for ALL cancers, donating 100% of their funding to the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern University.