Get Your Groove On for Local Kids

It’s not every day you see both kids and grown adults dancing through a 5k in neon tutus, but it’s a sight that makes one mom especially proud.

Dee Ann Littlefield recalls how the community rallied around her family when daughter Laycee was born with six heart defects and spent the first 11 weeks of her life at their local Children's Miracle Network Hospital. Three years later, friends and neighbors are again showing their support — some with more rhythm than others — as they shimmy, step and twist their way to the Dance Dash finish line, all while raising vital funds for their community’s CMN Hospital that nursed Laycee to health.

Team "Laycee's League" rallies for Laycee's health at Dance Dash in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Dance Dash, a unique, high-energy event created exclusively for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, is a 5k… with a twist. It challenges participants to not only walk or run a 5k course, but also to learn a few dance moves along the way. Dance Dashers will pause at different points throughout the race to learn a sequence of steps and, at the end, combine them to create a large, flash-mob style dance party.

Littlefield says she was humbled and honored by the outpouring of support and glad to see everyone having such a great time. Two teams dancing and dashing in Laycee’s honor, “Laycee’s League” and “Laycee’s Miracle Warriors,” raised nearly $4,000 for the local Children's Miracle Network Hospital. Laycee is now 3 years old and doing quite well, so those who know her story were eager to make sure other local sick and injured kids have the same chance at getting better.

Laycee celebrates her third birthday.

Similar stories are popping up as Dance Dash makes its way across the country.

Each participating community will have the opportunity to don their running shoes and dancing gear to help sick and injured kids treated at their local Children's Miracle Network Hospital. Patient families impacted by the local hospital will be leading the way. Participants are encouraged to fundraise for local kids and in return will receive fun, event-themed accessories, including sunglasses, socks, coolers and headphones.

So grab your family, friends or coworkers and sign up for a fun-filled day of dancing and dashing for a good cause. Check to see if your city is participating and register, at: www.DanceDash.org. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. To see more pictures and keep up to date with all things Dance Dash, "Like" the official Dance Dash Facebook page at facebook.com/DanceDash5K.