About
Welcome!
Kathleen Cirioli is a three-time cancer survivor and former owner of the Kathleen Academy of Dance and present owner of JustTAP! located in Hillsborough, NJ.
Her career in dance is how and why Dance for the Cure was founded as she was supported by so many of her studio dance families while going through her own journey. She uses her passion for dance as a way to share her personal story of survival and to give hope to other women who are diagnosed with breast cancer.
Joanne Liscovitz is the co-founder of Dance for the Cure, a successful Realtor at Coldwell Banker in Hillsborough, and a current tap instructor at JustTAP! Chairing Dance for the Cure's annual fundraiser, Ribbons of Hope,
has been Joanne's passion for the past 18 years, working with an amazing dedicated team of volunteers to present a beautiful event year after year. While the goal of our fundraiser is to raise as much money as possible to help carry out our mission of helping local breast cancer patients in need. it is extremely rewarding to see how our organization comes together for the benefit of others.
Our Mission
Dance for the Cure is successful in raising funds, due to the tireless and dedicated efforts of our 100% volunteer organization. As a result, Dance for the Cure has been able to gift over $1.200,000 dollars to date to individuals throughout Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties while they go through their breast cancer journey.
​
The expressions of gratitude from our recipients and the many ways in which a monetary gift can make a small, but significant positive impact in their lives is very rewarding for the entire Dance for the Cure family of volunteers.
How We Got Started
When Kathleen Cirioli was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998, her passion for dance provided the motivation she needed to weather the difficult months ahead. As owner of the Kathleen Academy of Dance in Hillsborough, NJ, Kathleen fought her way back from her diagnosis to continue to operate the dance studio and resume teaching tap dance as she had since 1971.
​
Though pre-Facebook and Instagram, Kathleen's story made its way to Rosie O'Donnell. She was invited to share her personal journey—including having previously survived ovarian cancer at the age of nineteen—on the Rosie O’Donnell Show. Kathleen, along with several dance teachers and friends, sang and tap-danced on the live TV show to spread the message of the benefits of early diagnosis.
​
This experience led Kathleen and fellow dancer and friend, Joanne Liscovitz, to found Dance for the Cure with the express purpose of raising awareness of the importance of annual mammograms, check ups and self-exams for women.
​
Since then, Dance for the Cure's focus has evolved from generalized health awareness programs to direct financial assistance programs. Dance for the Cure's current mission is to help women who are in financial need during their breast cancer journey.
Dance for the Cure is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization dedicated to helping local families impacted by breast cancer.
​
You can help! Attend our annual fundraiser, Ribbons of Hope or volunteer time or services.
If you or someone you know is seeking help or has questions, please contact us.
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
- Winston Churchill
Dance for the Cure is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization committed to the prevention and cure of breast cancer through the celebration of dance.
We are a 100% volunteer organization. All monies raised are distributed directly to families in Somerset, Hunterdon and Middlesex counties who have found themselves in difficult and unforeseen circumstances because of breast cancer.
To date, Dance for the Cure has gifted over $1,000,000, helping hundreds of local families.