Feb. 4, 2014

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky gymnastics team will host its first-annual DanceBlue Night Friday when UK faces top-ranked Florida at 7 p.m. ET in Memorial Coliseum. The team will wear gold warmup tops and fans are encouraged to help join the fight against pediatric cancer and support the on-campus organization DanceBlue.

As part of the fundraising effort, the teams’ gold warmup tops will be auctioned off on UKathletics.com following the meet. All proceeds will go to DanceBlue 2014, a fundraiser for UK’s Pediatric Oncology Clinic.

“This is a worthy cause, and we’re excited to be a part of it,” UK head coach Tim Garrison said. “Friday will be a great opportunity for the team and our fans to help raise money for DanceBlue and to support the children with cancer who are treated in the Pediatric Clinic.

DanceBlue is a year-long fundraising effort, which culminates with a 24-hour dance marathon each February. All money raised goes to the Golden Matrix Fund of UK’s Pediatric Oncology Clinic. Last year, the organization raised more than $1.1 million. More information about DanceBlue can be found at DanceBlue.org.

At Friday’s meet, UK will raise awareness and money to benefit children with cancer who are treated at the Pediatric Oncology Hematology Clinic on the UK campus. All fans are encouraged to wear gold to the meet, and flowers and ribbons will be sold to support DanceBlue. Fans will also be able to make cards and pictures for children at the Pediatric Clinic.

In the fall, the UK women’s soccer and volleyball teams each hosted a DanceBlue contest and combined to raise nearly $5,000 for the organization.

Representatives from DanceBlue will be at the meet for fans to donate or learn more information.

For complete news and updates on the Kentucky Gymnastics program, go to UKathletics.com. Breaking news, behind-the-scenes updates and more can be found on Twitter at @UKGymnastics and Facebook at Facebook.com/UKGymnastics.