The first rays of sunlight were beginning to hit Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, and Rayvn Tanner was about to hit a wall. The independent dancer’s feet had started to hurt, and her throat was aching.

Seventeen hours earlier, Tanner and more than 800 other UK students stood up and started the 24-hour DanceBlue charity event. 

“I am so excited, but I’m a little bit nervous — it’s like a nervous excited energy right now,” Tanner said in the first few minutes of the marathon.

The psychology junior has worn many different hats in her three years of participation. As a freshman, she joined the honors college team because she had heard about the marathon at recruiting and orientation events. 

“I honestly just signed up to dance with the honors program because it sounded like a lot of fun,”  Tanner said. “I wanted to get everything out of my UK experience.” 

Tanner admitted that her original reasons for participating were shallow, but her first experience with DanceBlue showed her that it was more than just a good time. 

“In the middle of the marathon I was like, ‘What the heck, this was just supposed to be fun,’” Tanner said of her first marathon. “At the end, where they do the celebration of life and all the families get up and talk about really specific ways DanceBlue has changed their life, it just blew my mind.”

The following year, Tanner applied for a position on the Morale Committee. It was one of her favorite college experiences. 

“It’s not just a job or a position that we all wanted so we could put it on our resume,” Tanner said. “You’re not on committee unless you’re really passionate about serving other people.”

In the weeks leading up to DanceBlue, Tanner pulled from past experience and prepared by hydrating, napping and stretching. 

Tanner had yet to hit a wall at the 12 hour mark. She said the food and games had been fun. Each hour of DanceBlue had a particular theme and kicked off with a line dance with a 13-minute mashup of songs and videos. 

“I’m feeling pretty good, I’m starting to get a little sleepy and my voice is gone,” Tanner said. “My joints are getting a little sore, but overall I’m still really excited. I haven’t hit the wall yet.”

Tanner’s parents were at the event late into the night, volunteering at bag check, where dancers could store extra clothes and supplies they may need throughout the event. 

“There’s not a kid out there that isn’t super excited about doing this,” said Angela Tanner, Rayvn Tanner’s mother. “Their heart is with those kids. They’re really uncomfortable but, for those kids fighting cancer, this is nothing.”

Last year, Tanner’s parents donated $100 dollars and volunteered at 4 a.m, but this year they took an earlier spot. 

“It’s just so much fun,” Angela Tanner said. “She’s very passionate about this, and it’s just wonderful to see her so excited.”

But by 7 a.m., Rayvn Tanner was losing the feeling of excitement. She said she got past the pain through the help of a morale leader who reminded her of the real reason why she danced: the kids.

“Your feet hurt the least when you’re dancing,” Rayvn Tanner said. “I get more into it because each time I’m more and more confident.”

As morning turned into afternoon, more families and more children began to arrive. Several patients participated in a talent show before the testimonials and awards, as well as the fundraising reveal. 

“Once the sun comes up, it just gets better and better,” Rayvn Tanner said.

In the end, Rayvn Tanner and the other DanceBlue participants raised more than $1.6 million for the Golden Matrix fund and the DanceBlue Clinic. 

“There’s always this understanding that DanceBlue is not about us or the people that run it — or really even the money,” Rayvn Tanner said. “It’s about the kids.”