In just one song, the dancers from the Jane Taylor Academy of Dance, based in Austin, tried to part the Red Sea and raise funds for cancer research.
The group of about 28 dancers ranging in age from 10 to adult came to Rochester from towns across southeastern Minnesota, including Hollandale, Dexter, Taopi, Lyle, Rose Creek and Austin to perform at the 55th annual Eagles Cancer Telethon.
The official grand total is not yet calculated, but by Sunday evening, organizers said the total was at $728,856.
The telethon kicked off at 8 p.m. Saturday at Mayo Civic Center in Rochester and ran through 4 p.m. Sunday, hosted by KTTC-TV personalities and broadcast live on KTTC-TV.
In 55 years, $13 million has been raised for cancer research. Last year's event brought in $735,000. Proceeds go to Mayo Clinic, the Hormel Institute in Austin and the University of Minnesota for cancer research.
Helping bring in donations are groups like the Jane Taylor Academy of Dance, who performed throughout the 20-hour telethon.
At its annual recital, the group holds a rose sale fundraiser for cancer. Taylor herself also has made the trip to Rochester many times to participate in the telethon.
As a child, she performed a solo dance, and she's been back several times bringing groups, she said.
"The dancers like to do it, she said. "It's a cause they are happy to support."
After their performance, some of the dancers also donated their hair to Locks of Love, said Taylor's daughter, Natalie Taylor, who was among the dancers.
It's also a cause that Jane Taylor is close to. Her mother is a two-time cancer survivor, and her father died of Hodgkin's disease seven years ago.
The telethon kicked off with everyone who was at Mayo Civic Center joining together to sing "God Bless The U.S.A."
The moment illustrated the way so many people come together to make the telethon happen.
Hundreds of people are involved in the 20-hour event, including 150 acts from across the region, food vendors, hair stylists, security and organizers. Even more people step up with donations, including clubs such as the American Legion, Elks and Moose clubs, churches, communities, families and individuals. To see more of the Post-Bulletin, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.postbulletin.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2009, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.