Yorktown Dancer to Receive National Recognition for Cancer Research Contribution

Ashley Bonner, a Yorktown native, was just 14 years old when she learned that her aunt was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2007. Determined to raise money for a cure, she organized a fundraising dance production "Dance 4 a Cause," which has since become a popular annual event.

Since then, Bonner, now 19, has brought an entire community together and raised more than $70,000 to help find a cure.   

For her contributions, the young woman will be honored in Boston on June 5 during the 100th annual celebration gala for the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. 

John Krasinski of The Office will join co-chairs Vicary Graham and Patti and Jonathan Kraft at the gala reception honoring recipients. The cause also continues to enjoy the support of Academy Award-winner Matt Damon.

Bonner's aunt Wendy Holman, who also grew up in Yorktown, nominated Bonner to receive the honors. Following her diagnosis, Holman has gotten better and been called a "miracle" by her doctors.

"My wonderful care at Mass General, along with the research at University of Michigan and the work of my loving niece, has kept me alive for five years and given me hope," Holman wrote in her nomination. 

Adrenal cancer is an aggressive form of cancer, with a median survival of 28 months. The five-year survival rate is less than 10 percent. It generally occurs in two age groups, with the first peak occurring before the age of five years and the second among young and middle aged adults.

Funding from the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society to research this deadly form of cancer are limited. Identification of novel therapies may help to increase survival rates, which have remained unchanged over the last 20 years.

The annual "Dance 4 a Cause Kids Stand Up to Cancer" features Yorktown-area children. Bonner would assemble the entire production, choreograph dances and train young performers. Her first show had a cast of 43. In 2012, 128 children joined the production.

To read more about Ashley Bonner and her dance production, click here.