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Local celebrities strut their stuff to support Arizona’s kidney programs
PHOENIX (December 3, 2018) – The National Kidney Foundation of Arizona (NKF AZ) is proud to present Dancing with the Stars Arizona: Fire & Ice on Friday, February 22, 2019 at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort and Spa in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
Another great group of local celebrities, most with no prior dance training, will pair with professional partners and dance center stage, all to raise funds and awareness to help fight kidney disease throughout the state. The friendly dance competition has raised more than $6 million, providing vital education and life-saving patient aid programs to those in need.
The event chaired by Jamie Andersen of Paradise Valley, Arizona. Mrs. Andersen first hit the dance floor as part of Dancing with the Stars Arizona 2015 and returned as a Legends Dancer at Dancing with the Stars Arizona 2016.
2019 Celebrity Star Dancers
Mackenzie Berk; Owner, Skin by Mackenzie
Laura Bianchi; Partner and Director of the Cannabis Department at Rose Law Group
Dr. Harini Chakkera; Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science, Chair, Division of Nephrology & Hypertension Program Director Nephrology and Transplant Nephrology Fellowship Programs
Andy Chambers; Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, PLC
Dr. Sheetal Chhaya; Chief of Rheumatology at Maricopa Integrated Health Systems/Maricopa Medical Center
Ali Dugaw; Segment Producer, Good Morning Arizona
Andrea Evans, Publisher, Frontdoors Magazine
Zach Heasley, Firefighter at Temple Fire Department
Kerrie Addante Jacobs, Vice President, Builder & Corporate Accounts at Security Title Agency
Tina Marjele; Author “The Soul of a Woman” and Real Estate Agent, Russ Lyon Sothby’s International
Racquel Miller; Real Estate Agent, Russ Lyon Sothby’s International
Dr. Jaya Raj; Professor of Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine, Program Director & Vice Chair of Education, Department of Medicine at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center
Dr. Natalee Sansone; Gastroenterologist
Ian Schwartz; Meteorologist at CBS 5
Marcus Seiler; Financial Project Manager & Fiesta Bowl Committee Member
Jarrod Smith; Real Estate Agent at Walt Danley Realty
Denise Viner; Owner, La Bella Q Dance Studio
Mrs. Nancy Spetzler will be honored at this year’s gala and will receive the Guiding Star Award. The Guiding Star Award is awarded to a member of the Phoenix philanthropic community who continues to give and support The National Kidney Foundation of Arizona. Mrs. Linda Pope received the inaugural award at Dancing with the Stars Arizona 2016. Mrs. Spetzler and her husband Dr. Robert Spetzler danced in the inaugural Dancing with the Stars Arizona 2007 and returned for the 2008 gala. Mrs. Spetzler will perform a special exhibition performance at this year’s gala.
Funds raised by Dancing with the Stars Arizona allow the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona (NKF AZ) to continue life-saving patient aid and organ donation advocacy programs throughout AZ. One in seven Arizonans is living with kidney disease, and most don’t even know it.
Closely following the structure of the successful ABC-TV program, “Dancing with the Stars”, the 2018 Arizona Celebrity Star Dance Champions are selected by professional dance adjudicators and audience votes. Local Celebrity Star Dancers compete on technical merit for Judges’ Choice Awards. Adding a bit of a twist, votes are available for purchase during the event so the audience can cast their support for their favorite dancers. People’s Choice Awards are based on total votes received.
Tickets and sponsorship packages are currently available. For information on individual dancers, all sponsorship packages and to pre-purchase votes, please call the National Kidney Foundation of Arizona at (602) 840-1644 or visit www.azkidney.org or www.crowdrise.com/dancingwiththestarsaz19 . Dancers are available to the media for interviews and sneak peek performances on set.
About National Kidney Foundation of Arizona
The National Kidney Foundation of Arizona is a statewide non-profit foundation dedicated to providing education about Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and helping kidney disease sufferers overcome the medical, financial and logistical challenges of CKD. In 2015, the Foundation commemorated its 50th anniversary of providing dynamic programs, direct patient support, kidney health initiatives and organ donation awareness. For more information, call (602) 840-1644 or visit www.azkidney.org.
Media Contact: Leslie Azurdia Vice President of Administration lesliea@azkidney.org Desk: 602.845.7915 Mobile: 480.200.3549
