Our History

Established in February 2015 by founder Kelly Else of Iowa C.A.T.S. Dance Company 

The first benefit was put together in two months time and raised over $5,000 with proceeds going to the Des Moines Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Even though the goal was to inspire someone else, Kelly was the one left speechless by the unconditional love and passion her dancers had for someone they had never met before and by the amazing donors and supporters from not only the Des Moines metro, but from all over the country that also came to support this anonymous persons dreams and to help find a cure for this horrific disease. 

 

This inspiration lead Kelly to realize if one dance studio could make a difference in one person's life, what could be done if we brought the entire Des Moines dance community together?  So in October of 2015, the second annual Teachers & Tutus benefit was hosted by four Des Moines dance studios raising over $10,000 for the Des Moines Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Again, in October 2016 the third Annual Teachers & Tutus benefit raised over $12,000 with proceeds being donated to the Des Moines Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Above + Beyond Cancer.

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Our Why

Let Our Why Become Yours

Did you know that approximately every 4 minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with a type of blood cancer and that Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is the sixth most common cancer in males and seventh most common cancer in females in the United States? But what is devastating is that approximately every 10 minutes, someone in the US dies from a blood cancer. 

 

This is why we must do what we can to find a cure for this disease. Words cannot express how much your donation and time is appreciated. Your donation goes directly to Above + Beyond Cancer which elevates the lives of those touched by cancer to create a healthier world. Together we can help not just one anonymous person reach their goals and dreams but continue to extend the lives of all cancer patients as they pursue their goals and dreams.

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Our Thanks

From the Bottom of our Hearts

Thank you again for your generous donation and for supporting our Teachers and Tutus benefit that supports Above + Beyond Cancer to elevate the lives of all of those touched by cancer.