Patrick MacQueen has never danced before.
No ballroom. No formal training. No secret moves waiting to be unleashed. And yet, this year, Patrick is voluntarily stepping onto the dance floor—on purpose—to support families whose children are battling extreme medical conditions.

Performing ballroom dance in front of a live audience is intimidating (and, let’s be honest, slightly terrifying). But that discomfort is nothing compared to what these families face every single day. Patrick is committing the time, effort, and a healthy dose of public humility to help raise critical funds so families can focus on their child’s health—not on crushing medical bills.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Phoenix, Arizona, dedicated to easing the financial burden on families with children facing severe medical challenges. When health insurance isn’t enough, we step in to help cover copays, premiums, deductibles, and other essential medical-related out-of-pocket expenses. Our belief is simple: a family’s energy should go toward healing and hope, not financial stress.

This event has quickly become one of our nonprofit’s most impactful and anticipated fundraisers—now proudly our second most popular event—and plays a vital role in allowing us to support families when they need it most.

The Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) fundraising event was founded in 2020 by our founder, Jennifer Armer, in partnership with Mariya Illchenko and Ilya Velednitsky, owners of the Ahwatukee Fred Astaire Dance Studio. The event pairs Arizona’s community leaders and local “superstars” with professional ballroom instructors for an unforgettable evening of dazzling performances—all in the name of fundraising for an incredible cause.

If watching Patrick attempt ballroom dance doesn’t inspire you to donate, the mission certainly should. Every dollar raised goes directly toward helping families navigate the financial realities of medical care—so they can focus on what truly matters: their child.

Thank you for supporting Patrick, this event, and the families who depend on it.