Stepping with the Stars is a competition-style dance event that benefits Aurora at Home programs serving individuals with cancer. Local leaders and community influencers and expert instructors come together for an extraordinary night to compete as 1,100+ attendees including health care leaders and community partners support throughout the night.

To understand the importance of this event, I offer you a glimpse into why it is with great honor and pride you’re invited to support the 11th annual Stepping with the Stars fundraiser. 

In 2010 after many years apart, my high school sweetheart, Edison McCants, and I reunited and shortly thereafter married.  I was fully aware that he was living with cancer and had done so for more than 15 years.  Sadly, Edison passed away in December 2012.  While our time together was short, we packed in years of laughter, joy and excitement, much of which centered on our shared love of the art form of Chicago Style Steppin’.  

Edison found a passion in learning the dance, and it also helped distract on those days when the pain was nearly unbearable.  There are no words to describe the ache in my heart having lost Edison so quickly after reuniting, but I have chosen to turn my pain into purpose.

Utilizing my professional talents and skills, the desire to give back to my community, and my social joys and friendships, I invest my all into this cause. My heart and humility grow stronger each day knowing my efforts will support families who find themselves in a similar position of caring for a loved one with cancer.  All event proceeds are used to support cancer-specific initiatives provided by Aurora at Home.

With the support of Stepping with the Stars Alumni, event attendees and the co-founder of Milwaukee Steppers and Ballroomers United, Cynthia Wilson, who Edison affectionately referred to as wife 1.5, I was able to create the Edison McCants Comfort Fund.  Through the fund, not only does Edison’s memory live on, but countless other patients and families benefit from things Edison and I learned and enjoyed as we fought together for his health and well-being.

The Edison McCants Comfort Fund was established to afford cancer patients greater comfort and resilience by providing Aurora at Home caregivers with the latest in therapeutic best practices in the field of in-home care for those undergoing cancer treatment. 

Thank you in advance for your consideration, and allowing me to share with you all the reasons why.  Please know together, we have the power to make a difference.

Visit steppingwiththestars.net to learn more about this year’s cast of Stars.