WKU News

Thanks to Western Kentucky University students and the community, local kids will have even more access to quality care.

More than 700 students raised over $105,000 through Dance Big Red, an annual student-led dance marathon that benefits Norton Children’s. The marathon took place over the weekend at Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center. Additionally, more than 200 special guests, including sponsors, families and community members, attended the Community/Dance Little Red Hour to support the student dancers.  

“We are beyond grateful for the overwhelming response from students, donors and sponsors,” said Larkin Jarboe, Dance Big Red Co-Chair. “Thanks to the support of everyone pulling together, we surpassed goals and broke records. Dance Big Red raised $105,571.80 for Norton Children’s Hospital, directly impacting pediatric heart care and pediatric cancer care for patients from across the state. The result of this event is a dream come true.”

Dance Big Red has held various fundraising events over the past year and worked in partnership with Warren County Public Schools’ Dance Little Red and various Dance Mini Reds. The student members planned various campus outreach opportunities to donate and get involved. They also met with Norton Children’s patients and their families to learn about their journeys. 

“The continued success of the event is a testament to the strength of leadership and compassion found at WKU,” said Dana Warder, Norton Children’s Hospital’s Western Kentucky PR/Communications Manager. “Since the inaugural event, Dance Big Red has raised nearly a million dollars for Norton Children’s through Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation. It was an amazing night of stories that inspire and give hope.”

Western Kentucky University President Timothy C. Caboni said, “I’m incredibly proud of our WKU students for volunteering their time and energy to support Norton’s Children’s Hospital. Their dedication to making a difference reflects the spirit of Hilltoppers – compassionate, driven and committed to serving others.”

“The WKU community and spirit showed out on Friday to support Norton Children’s Hospital,” said Lilly Pollitzer, Dance Big Red Co-Chair. “Together, we are making a direct impact to families in this region," Our executive board is ready to start planning Dance Big Red 2026.”

Norton Children’s received nearly 16,000 patient visits from the Western Kentucky region this past year. As the need for expert pediatric care continues to grow within the region, Norton Children’s has made the commitment to further invest locally to bring that specialized care closer to home. Donations from the community and events such as Dance Big Red support the hospital’s mission of providing care to all kids.

The event is possible due to the dedication of volunteers and the support of our sponsors. Thanks to our presenting sponsors WNKY, WUHU 107 & Beaver 106.3 along with Kiwanis Club of Bowling Green and Vulcan Fire Systems, Inc. Additional top tier sponsors include WKU Campus Recreation & Wellness, South Central Bank, Meltdown, Hillvue Heights Church, Fruit of the Loom and Graves Gilbert Clinic.

For a full list of sponsors or to donate to Dance Big Red, visit www.DanceBigRed.com.

About Norton Children’s

As the need for expert pediatric care has grown in our region, so has the footprint of Norton Children’s. It comprises two hospitals, local and regional outpatient centers, and Norton Children’s Medical Group — a network of primary and specialty care practices with over 500 pediatric providers across more than 170 locations. Currently serving more than 215,000 patients on average per year, including more than 93,000 pediatric emergency care visits and nearly 13,000 pediatric surgeries, Norton Children’s provides comprehensive care for children of all ages across the region.

Located in downtown Louisville, the 300-bed Norton Children’s Hospital is the region’s only full-service, free-standing pediatric hospital, the only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center in Kentucky and serves as the primary pediatric teaching facility for the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Norton Children’s Hospital provides a complete range of services for children, including pediatric intensive care and one of the nation’s largest Level IV neonatal intensive care units.

Norton Children’s relies on support from the community through the Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation. The foundation raises funds to support critical programs, purchase new equipment and technologies, fund clinical research, expand regional programs, build or enhance facilities and helps to make our advanced facilities and many specialized services available to all families regardless of their ability to pay. More information is available at NortonChildrens.com.