Blog

Dance for Life 2017 Launch

The Solas Cancer Support Centre’s ‘Dance for Life 2017’ Official Launch took place on Friday 19th February in Dooley’s Hotel. The process of applying, selecting, partnering and scheduling is complete with 20 couples now rehearsing for the show which will take place on Friday 7th April in The Theatre Royal.

Michelle Condon is the Choreographer for the event and is putting the dancers through their paces for an energetic Group Dance and an individual dance per couple.

To quote Michelle – ‘With six weeks to go the pressure is on to put the final touches to the dances and polish the routines. The Group Dance is great fun and coordinating 40 novice dancers for a 4 minute opening number is certainly a challenge but it’s a challenge that everyone is embracing.’

Dr Brian Creedon, Chair of the Solas Cancer Support Centre, spoke on the night to thank the dancers for their time and enthusiasm in preparing for the shows ‘We really appreciate the efforts of all the dancers -not only are they putting in a huge amount of time rehearsing but they are also actively fundraising for the Solas Cancer Support Centre. We also want to acknowledge the support of Schivo, the main sponsor of this event, for their continued support of this event’.  

As a new initiative, this year Newtown School Young Social Innovators Group have joined us in this event and will host Youth Dance for Life on Thursday 6^th April.

Forty Transition Year students and guest teachers from Newtown School and Waterpark College have started an intense training programme that will culminate in the Youth Dance for Life. Tracy McDaid, Manager of the Solas Cancer Support Centre expressed her delight that the group participating in a Young Social Innovators programme has engaged in many different activities in order to raise both funds and awareness- ‘The three key messages that the students have been promoting during their entire campaign are as follows:-

• Our services are completely free
• We offer support to family members and carers as well as persons directly affected by a cancer diagnosis
• It is very easy to engage with our service- it’s as simple as a phone call or dropping in to see us.

Having the team of TY pupils helping us raise awareness of these messages has been a very different approach for us and their energy and enthusiasm have been inspiring’

Both Thursday 6^th & Friday 7^th April promise to be exciting and fun-filled for all involved.