Dancing for a Cause

Twin sisters Mallory and Madeline Lewis took time out of their busy high school schedules this year to hold a dance benefiting the PKD Foundation.

Their efforts have raised over $1500 for PKD research while educating classmates about the disease affecting family members.

The two seniors at Mount Notre Dame High School in Ohio are Honors students and members of Mount Notre Dame’s Youth in Philanthropy Council. Since their freshman year, they have worked closely with the Director of Development at their school to come up with ways to contribute to current and future PKD research.

Previously, the girls have raised awareness of PKD by developing “GIVE HOPE” bracelets which included the PKD website and phone number. They held several community bracelet sales, bake sales, including a Trick or Treat for PKD event, and made announcements during school. But, this year, the girls wanted to do something more substantial to help in the fight against PKD. Mallory and Madeline decided to hold a high school dance.

“The girls were considered the new kids on the block,” their mother said. “No one really knew what PKD was, so the girls had to work very hard to explain the disease and the importance of such a fundraiser.”

Once they received official consent to hold the dance, Mallory and Madeline were busy planning. First, they came up with “A Night at the Roxbury” theme to give the dance a club-like atmosphere. After the theme was set, they had to plan all the details: hiring a DJ, purchasing food, drinks, and decorations, picking a date, getting clearance for a place to have it, and promoting it. Posters were hung up all over school and continuous announcements were made.

After the girls’ hard work and dedication, their idea finally turned into a big success. With around 100 attendees, Mallory and Madeline raised $800 dollars to donate to the PKD Foundation. They would like to see this become an annual fundraising event.

Although their dance was a success, Mallory and Madeline realized that planning such a large special event can be stressful and have its fair share of hurdles to overcome.

“The best part of the entire experience was knowing that we were helping people who really needed it,” said Mallory. Madeline agreed, “The event raised awareness, while maintaining a positive light and contributed to research that someday will lead to the cure.”

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