‘Dancing with Our Stars’ Gala Returns to the Wally Allen Ballroom to Raise Money for Rare Genetic Disorder

Local stars partner with local dance instructors for the 17th annual 'Dancing with Our Stars' Gala

LITTLE ROCK, AR - On September 12, 2024, notable Little Rock professionals and philanthropists will return to the ballroom for the 17thannual 'Dancing with our Stars' Gala, a yearly ballroom dance competition and one of the largest signature fundraising events of the year. Months of rehearsals with local dance instructors will culminate in a one-time performance that raises money to fund critical NF research and support the local NF clinic. This year's stars vying for a chance to take home the coveted mirror ball trophy are:

Monica Alexander, Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Arkansas Children's Hospital

Austin Booth, Executive Director, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Linda Harding, Philanthropist & Fine Art Photographer

Sara Hurst, Owner, Bella's Kitchen + Wellness ("BK+W")

Tiffany Mays O'Guinn, Managing Partner - Mays, Byrd & O'Guinn, PLLC

Wallace Smith, P.E., Director of Federal Services - Garver, LLC

"As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Star for Dancing with Our Stars [this year], my mission is to use my platform to raise awareness and funds for NF research and support," said Monica Alexander. "Through dance, advocacy, and community engagement, I am committed to shining a light on NF, offering hope and empowerment to individuals and families affected by this condition. Together, we dance towards a future where NF is understood, treated, and ultimately cured."

"The more I learned about NF and its effects on children and adults, the more I felt duty bound to try to help the NF community," said Wallace Smith. "I am honored to do my part to help the Children's Tumor Foundation Dancing with Our Stars this year."

Hosted by the Children's Tumor Foundation, the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to funding and driving innovative NF research, this year's fundraiser, co-chaired by Dawn and William Jones, features a reception, silent auction, seated dinner, and dancing, and will take place at the Wally Allen Ballroom in Little Rock, Arkansas.

"We are proud to support the Children's Tumor Foundation and Dancing With Our Stars," said William Jones. "Supporting causes within the communities Sissy's Log Cabin calls home is one of our core values and something we are passionate about. It's humbling to see just how many lives are touched through the Children's Tumor Foundation."

"This event is so special to me. I was a participant in the 2022 Dancing with Our Stars competition, returned as a judge in 2023, and now get a chance to co-chair alongside my wonderful husband," said Dawn Jones. "I am blessed to have a small part in changing the lives of those who are affected by NF."

NF refers to a group of genetic conditions that cause tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and may lead to blindness, deafness, bone abnormalities, disfigurement, learning disabilities, disabling pain, and cancer. NF includes all forms of neurofibromatosis and schwannomatosis and affects about 4 million people worldwide. Anyone can be born with NF, and it affects everyone differently. While the FDA approved the first-ever treatment, Koselugo (selumetinib), for inoperable plexiform neurofibromas, there is no cure at this time for NF.

In addition to the annual Little Rock fundraiser, the fourth annual Northwest Arkansas 'Dancing with Our Stars' Gala at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville on March 8, 2025, creating an additional evening of dancing, awareness, and inspiring stories. With the upcoming signature events, the Arkansas group will surpass $4 million raised for NF research since CTF first started organizing the NF community in the Natural State. For more information or to purchase your ticket or sponsorship, please visit ctf.org/dwoslr.

About the Children's Tumor Foundation
The Children's Tumor Foundation is the world's leading nonprofit dedicated to funding and driving innovative research that will result in effective treatments for the millions of people worldwide living with NF, a group of genetic conditions that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. One in every 2,000 people is born with some type of neurofibromatosis or schwannomatosis, which may lead to blindness, deafness, bone abnormalities, disfigurement, learning disabilities, disabling pain, or cancer. NF affects all populations equally, and while there is no cure yet, the Children's Tumor Foundation mission of driving research, expanding knowledge, and advancing care for the NF community fosters our vision of one day ending NF. For more information, please visit: ctf.org.

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