A group of McCalla area dancers has raised nearly $800 for childhood cancer research since Friday (08/22) and have their sights set on a goal of $3000 by September's end.

Students at the McCalla Academy of Dance are looking to raise money for a local organization called 'Dancers Fighting Cancer' a group started by Alex Swader, a cancer survivor and dancer. Alex was only 8 years old when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma. In August 2008, after 8 months of chemotherapy and 4 operations, he went into remission and has been in school and continues to dance.

According to a document at childrensal.org,
Alex created Dancers Fighting Cancer to encourage everyone, especially his beloved dance community, to help raise awareness of childhood cancer, raise funds for pediatric cancer research of the many types of childhood cancers, and show kids living with cancer that they care about them.

For the past 5 years, Alex has hosted a fundraiser called "Tapping Out Childhood Cancer" which has raised almost $70,000.00 as of June 2014.

On September 28th, the show will kick off with an outstanding show comprised of local dancers, singers, and dance teams at The Historic Alabama Theatre at 2pm! The fundraising event will then move under the magical tent at Gabrella Manor immediately following from 5-9pm with a buffet, games for the kids, moonwalk, face painting, and of course, a dance party!

All donated funds directly support research being done at The Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Alabama.

The McCalla Academy of Dance have started a website to help increase donations as well as teaming up at Love's Truck Stop in McCalla this past weekend to sell snow cones!

If you'd like to join them in the fight, please click here.

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