From Tasha's Laptop: Celebrating the rewarding and enduring friendship with Jean Kettell

Tasha and Ms. Jean at the 2022 Jean Kettell Studio of Dance recital.

In one month, the Jean Kettell Studio of Dance will hold its 2023 Spring Recital at CCBC – Dundalk. In addition to showcasing a year’s worth of efforts by its young dancers, the recital has a secondary purpose that it has had since 1997– a fundraiser for The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc.

Jean Kettell, a former Rockette (1959-1961), founded the Jean Kettell Studio of Dance in 1953, was a dear friend of CCF founder Shirley Howard, and one of the earliest CCF supporters. Every year since 1997, proceeds raised from the Studio recital have been donated to CCF. Since our partnership began, the Jean Kettell Studio of Dance has donated over $170,000 to CCF.

The Jean Kettell Studio of Dance has been a staple of the community for more than 60 years. There is a saying in Dundalk that “everyone knows at least one person who has studied dance with Ms. Jean!” During the pandemic, Ms. Jean, as she is known to her students and teachers alike, continued with classes remotely and held a “drive-in” recital with recordings of the students’ performances. It is my honor to continue the relationship with Ms. Jean, and with her incredible community of teachers, students and families.

Hero Awardee Jean Kettell thanks CCF and recognizes her dance studio’s instructors

CCF had the privilege to present Ms. Jean with the Fighter Award at our Annual Gala in November 2021. She and her dance instructors also joined CCF at the 2022 Gala, where we celebrated Bridget Diveley. We were introduced to Bridget, a talented dancer and remarkable young cancer survivor, through Jean. In 2022, I visited with the Diveley family. Bridget, who received a heart transplant at the age of two, was diagnosed with Large B-cell Lymphoma nine years later, likely the result of post-transplant immunosuppressants. Read about Bridget’s journey and view her video.

In October 2022, Jean stopped by our office to present a check to CCF for $7,000 raised from the June recital, where I had the honor to see Bridget and her fellow dancers perform. Ms. Jean continues to inspire generations of young people in the area and proves how much impact one woman can have on a community. CCF will forever be grateful for the partnership with Ms. Jean and her Studio, including the difference she has made in helping us fund research for better treatments and cures for children with cancer.

Thank you Ms. Jean!