On March 7, 2015 I will be participating in the Dancing with the Richmond Stars Fundraiser and Competition present by the Richmond Community Hospice. This elegant evening of dinner and dance in support of the Richmond hospice will take place at the Riverside Grand Ballroom, 1231 Burdette Street, Richmond, Doors open at 6 pm.
This event pairs local celebrities (me) with Richmond’s best professional ballroom dancers (my partner David Marasigan) and consists of dinner, dance competition, judge’s comments, returning champions showcase, a professional dance showcase and dancing for all to cap off the evening.
So, how did it come to be that a self-proclaimed extreme introvert is dancing in a competition to raise money for the Richmond Community Hospice? It started in February 2013 when I was diagnosed with a rare type of eye cancer (Ocular Melanoma) and became a patient myself. I came face-to-face with the fears and uncertainty of being diagnosed with a potentially terminal illness. There are many experiences that have changed my perspective on life; dental school, marriage, children, becoming a business owner however none of them have changed the way I view myself and strive to live my life more than cancer. This is the first time I have publically spoken about my cancer diagnosis and journey
2013 was a year filled with radiation treatment, surgery, laser treatment, tests, follow-ups, more tests and then in February 2014 I found out that I was not done with treatment and again need more. Around the time I received this news, I was having a conversation with my chiropractor who was attending the Dancing with the Richmond Stars event on the weekend. I immediately said “What?! tell me more” I knew immediately after hearing about the Richmond Hospice Association Dancing with the Richmond Stars event that I wanted to participate. Not only do I get to raise money for the Richmond Hospice Association, but also fulfill my bucket list dream of ballroom dancing. As soon as I got home I browsed the website and coincidently one of the professional dancers Hilda Li had also trained us on our dental software (who knew!).
At the Dental convention the very next weekend I hunted Hilda down at the Paterson Dental booth and said these exact words “Hilda, I hate dancing in public, I hate crowds and I hate being the center of attention BUT I need to be a part of Dancing with the Stars Richmond”. Hilda responded, “ You aren’t really selling it Michele”. A few weeks later Hilda invited me to the wind-up dinner for last year’s participants and the rest is history or will be soon. Dancing in this event is completely out of my comfort zone but I knew I wanted to do and went for it. I pursued being involved and I am excited to start training with David this week, live my dreams and at the same time raise money for the Richmond Hospice.
You can support me or the Richmond Hospice in two ways: 1) You can donate a dollar amount or 2) Buy a ticket and watch me dance. Both can be done on the website Richmond Hospice Association: DWTRS
