At Vanderbilt’s Sept. 27 victory over Utah State, Dancing Dores celebrated its annual football game honoring local miracle kids and kicked off its fundraising efforts for the year.
Dancing Dores was founded in 2018 when a football player proposed creating an athletics-specific branch of Anchorthon, Vanderbilt’s largest student-run philanthropy, which benefits Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital. The program connects student-athletes with “miracle kids” — local children receiving life-saving treatment at the hospital — through events, relationships and fundraising. Proceeds from the fundraising support pediatric rehabilitation, psychological services and cancer research.
On Saturday, miracle kids Cambree Dunn and Landon Binkley joined the Commodores for Star Walk — the team’s pregame tradition of walking together from the bus into FirstBank Stadium while fans cheer them on. They were also individually recognized during two timeouts and spent the game on the sidelines. Fans were encouraged to donate through QR codes displayed on the jumbotron. Maya Azzato, student director of Dancing Dores, believes that Vanderbilt Athletics’ partnership with the program shows the true meaning of sports.
“Athletes value sports because it pushes them to be stronger, face challenges and work as a team,” Azzato said. “These kids face some of the toughest challenges with grace, strength and beauty. Supporting these kids is what our athletics teams stand for.”
Before kickoff, Dancing Dores set up a tent in the Kids Zone, the pregame fan area on the outdoor track off Natchez Trace. Children decorated superhero capes, a tradition tied to Turner’s Heroes — a nonprofit honoring former Vanderbilt tight end Turner Cockrell, who died of cancer in 2018. Katelen Watkins, assistant director for student athlete development, said that the capes are meant to remind the kids they are superheroes.
“The kids’ joy says it all. Last weekend, parents texted me saying their kids couldn’t stop talking about the game. That’s what it’s all about: helping them feel like heroes, showing their fight matters and that they have people behind them,” Watkins said.
Each Dancing Dores team is led by student-athlete captains who help coordinate fundraising and building meaningful connections with their assigned miracle families. The program prepares them by hosting an annual captains’ retreat at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital to give the athletes a first-hand look at the hospital’s impact and the families they are supporting.
“I think it’s opened our student-athletes’ eyes to stories outside their own. If you’ve never been hospitalized or fought for your life, hearing a child’s testimony — burned on 90% of their body, battling cancer, recovering from traumatic brain injury — shifts your perspective,” Watkins said. “It makes you grateful for health and for the abilities of your body. And it reminds you that just next door at the hospital, kids are fighting for their lives every day.”
Since its launch, Dancing Dores has raised nearly $200,000. Last year alone, the program brought in more than $33,000 and has set a $40,000 goal for this year.
“It’s special to see our athletes step up instinctively, without prompting, to make miracle kids and families feel at home. They stay in touch, they’re intentional, they create phenomenal experiences,” Watkins said. “They also lead in fundraising — last year, one swimmer was in the top five fundraisers on campus, and the swim team was top five overall. If athletes feel supported and have passion, with the right resources, they’ll make things flourish.”
Leading up to the university-wide Anchorthon Dance Marathon event Feb. 28, 2026, Dancing Dores will recognize more miracle kids at games for other sports, including a volleyball game on Oct. 26. Soccer and basketball dates will be announced soon. Azzato emphasized that as Vanderbilt Athletics continues to grow, its community involvement should grow with it.
“While our athletics program is achieving great things and showing people how incredible Vanderbilt is, it is also growing its impact on the greater community by supporting children who are the true embodiment of strength,” Azzato said. “As a Vanderbilt student or fan, it should make you even more proud of Vanderbilt athletics. Show this pride by supporting what Vanderbilt athletics is doing off the field or court as well.”
