Dancing with the Stars Arizona Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Dazzling Lineup

PHOENIX (Nov. 10, 2015) – The National Kidney Foundation of Arizona (NKF AZ) presents its 10th Anniversary Dancing with the Stars Arizona: Night of a Thousand Stars on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, AZ. This highly anticipated annual gala features outstanding Arizona celebrities and community leaders paired with professional dance instructors who dance competitively to raise funds for the mission of kidney disease awareness throughout the state. To-date, the event has raised more than $4.3 million toward education and life-saving patient aid programs.

This year’s contestants feature an impressive crop of business and community leaders, with the 2016 Celebrity Dance Champions selected by votes cast by professional judges, and an anticipated audience of more than 1,000 attendees.

The DWS AZ 2016 Co-Chairs include Leslie Rich & Kathleen Taddie, and adding to the fun-filled charitable event is emcee Robin Sewell.

“I can’t think of a more fun and challenging way for local leaders to help raise money for an organization that serves our Arizona communities so directly,” says Event Co-Chair, Kathleen Taddie. “The dollars raised through this event have much such an incredible impact in the lives of the kidney patients – we are honored to be a part of its 10th year celebration.”

2016 Celebrity Star Dancers include:

Ladies

  • Leslee Allen
  • Linda Bower
  • Jan W. Cacheris
  • Dr. Betty Davis
  • Jennifer Mitchell
  • Jacqueline Nerguizian
  • Terra Schaad
  • Kimberlee Slager
  • Cheryl Parker
  • Lorna Romero

Gentlemen

  • Ivan J. Almonte
  • Sen. Carlyle W. Begay
  • Dan Garrison
  • Scott Lavinia
  • Jeffrey Rich
  • Raymond Scott

Couples

  • Andres Camacho Castilla & Natalie Grancharov Camacho

The evening will also include a special tribute to Linda Pope, prior Celebrity Star Dancer, DWS AZ Co-Chair, and contributor to the success of this long-standing annual gala. The tribute will feature past Celebrity Star Dancers returning to the floor in a team vs. team competition to raise additional funds for the foundation in tribute of all that she has brought to the foundation.

2016 Legends Performers include:

  • George Abrams
  • Julie Adelson
  • Jamie Andersen
  • Tiffani Bachus
  • Nicole Bidwill
  • Linda Gosnell
  • Dr. Mytia McNeal
  • Pat McReynolds
  • Sen. Robert Meza
  • Heather Novak
  • Victor Ostrovsky
  • Carrie Schnepf
  • Tom Simplot
  • Susie Stevens

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 our state.  With over 600,000 Arizonans living with kidney disease, and only 10 percent aware of it, NKF AZ seeks to continue its fight against kidney disease through early kidney disease detection, public education, and the promotion of organ donation. 

Closely following the structure of the successful ABC-TV program, “Dancing with the Stars”, the 2016 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 twist to the event, votes are available for purchase during the event so the audience can cast their votes for their favorite dancers. People’s Choice Awards are based on total votes received.

Tickets and sponsorship packages are currently available. For information on 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.

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.