Chorus Line Dance Studio Rallies for The Unbreakable Dancer Who has Inspired a Movement
One very special Dance student touched her peers and a packed house during an unforgettable finale at the annual Chorus Line Dance Studio recital. On Sunday May 28th, 11 year old Delaney Unger was presented with a $15,000 check on stage at the Patchogue Theatre, where the St. James Dance Studio held its production. The check was the end product of Dance students and their families contributing to various fundraising efforts for Delaney, who is currently battling osteosarcoma.
Delaney Unger, is one brave, talented 11 year old young girl who has been a student at Chorus Line Dance Studio for eight years. Despite an osteosarcoma diagnosis, chemotherapy and recent Rotationplasty surgery, Unger remains vigilant and positive, hoping to inspire young people battling major health obstacles like her.
“I am determined to be back dancing again as soon as possible. I want to be a voice for childhood cancer because I want to let other children who are fighting cancer know that I am fighting with them and for them. They are not alone. I want to be an inspiration to others and let them know through determination and hard work, anyone can achieve their goals.” – Delaney Unger
This unbreakable tiny dancer has pirouetted her way into the hearts and minds of every fellow dancer at Chorus line, their family members… and one very humbled reporter. Chorus Line founders, Roseann and Bob Cousins understood what it meant to help fulfill Laney’s dream to continue her dancing career as well as the kind of financial burden cancer treatment can be regardless of income. They began a fundraising initiative with the sale of Unger Armour shirts and hoodies. The students and staff of Chorus Line then held a Dance for Delaney Dance-A-Thon at the St. James studio at the end of April. More than 150 students and families attended the event, in support of Delaney and her family. During the Annual recital, Chorus Line traditionally gives out four $1,000 dance scholarships. This year, one of those dance grants was given as a cash donation to the Unger Family, as they were presented with a check for $15,000.00 from the Chorus Line Dance Family at the conclusion of the final performance.
Rotationplasty is an alternative surgical procedure to limb sparing surgery. Essentially, a portion of Delaney’s femur and knee joint was removed and her tibia was reattached and then rotated. The ankle joint works like a knee joint, which then attaches to a prosthetic foot. Delaney is determined to continue dancing and has a dream of surfing in Hawaii one day soon. This revolutionary surgery has aided in her quest to let nothing, especially cancer, get in the way of her dreams. Roseann Cousin’s tells Smithtown Today that Delaney has been “a true role model to her fellow dance students and was voted by her peers as Captain of her Ballet company.”
“We have been part of the Smithtown community and served it with excellence in dance, along with so much more for 35 years. We are blessed with so many families who come together to help others and reach out whenever needed… We thank each and every family for their generous contributions and for their time and help in making this happen.” – Roseann Cousin, Chorus Line Dance Studio
Cousins is confident that Delaney’s true fighter nature and dancing heart will beat the odds. The Chorus Line family is keeping the entire Unger family in their hearts, anxiously anticipating Delaney’s return to the dance floor, where she will continue her passion for the art of dance and have all the support she needs.
To learn more about Delaney Unger and her mighty quest to inspire the world, stop by Chorus Line in St. James or follow Laney on Twitter and Instagram via #LiveLikeLaney
A Chorus Line is located at 380 Lake Ave, in St James