COLUMBUS, Ind. -- A childhood cancer survivor from Columbus has turned her love of dance into a movement.
Her goal? To help raise funds for Riley Children's Foundation and cancer research while inspiring other children battling the fight of a lifetime that there is hope to come.
"Parents should never have to hear that your child has cancer," said Michael McCauley.
For Marci and Michael McCauley, those words about their then-six-year-old daughter ring never-ending in their minds.
"When you hear cancer, you think of the worst. You don't think of ‘What's the survival rate?’" said Michael.
But the reality of the illness is so much more than the diagnosis. It’s an illness that creates memories of pain and hardship.
"Towards the end of her chemo treatment, everything started catching up and she started getting nauseated and sick and worn down, but, she had a positive smile on her face," said Michael.
But, it’s an illness that also brings about perseverance and hope.
"We walked into this building with a smile on our face, every single day," said Marci.
At age 6, the McCauley's daughter Cierra was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
"I was scared that I wasn't going to make it through and that I wouldn't be able to see anyone again," said now 11-year-old Cierra.
Cierra is in the fifth grade at Rock Creek Elementary and loves to ride her bike and play outside, but her true passion is dance.
“There’s nothing really else besides dance,” said Cierra about her major hobbies.
When asked what type of dance she does, she responded, "I can do tap, lyrical, jazz, hip-hop."
A true fighter by nature, Cierra didn't let her cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy treatments keep her off her feet.
"She still went to dance twice a month,” said Michael.
"I did a solo and I got on stage without any hair," said Cierra.
Aptly naming herself the “Dancer Beating Cancer”, this young fighter turned her love of movement into a movement.
Cierra, along with her parents Michael and Marci, have started Dancer Beating Cancer.
It's similiar to the ALS Ice Bucket challenge that went viral a couple of years ago, only this is with dance.
What you do is simple: Get a group together (or go solo!) and take a video dancing. Upload that video to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (or all), and use the following hashtag: #DancerBeatingCancer.
After you upload and post the video, you may donate to Riley Children’s Foundation on Cierra’s website www.dancerbeatingcancer.org.
The donations increase research funds and awareness of childhood cancer, while supporting Cierra and other children battling for their lives.
“For every dollar donated, it is $12 of federal grant money donated to Riley Children’s Foundation. So $1 turns into $13. You don’t have to donate much. Every dollar helps,” said Michael.
When asked what she would like to tell other children who are battling cancer, Cierra responded instantly: “Keep on trying and don't lose hope.”
Cierra has made it her mission to help the organization that gave her a second chance at life, all while inspiring other children that they can beat the fight, one step—or sashay—at a time.
