Dream Big and Save a Child’s Life Through #ExpediaStJude

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and what better way to get the word out than through dance?  And travel?  And dreams?  Expedia and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are partnering up to offer some amazing ways for the travel community to lend its support – there are more than 150 travel packages available for giveaway, as well as the opportunity to donate directly to St. Jude for discount coupons on entire hotel bookings!  I was lucky enough to help kick-off the #ExpediaStJude campaign at the research hospital in Memphis earlier this month, and to see what St. Jude does for these kids, their families, and for the world in its groundbreaking medical research is astonishing.  Expedia hosted an ‘Around the World’ party for the patients at the St. Jude Target House.  I was surrounded by children of all ages and various ailments from cancer, cushioned with love from their parents, siblings, friends and St. Jude staff.  Along with me were about a dozen Mommy-bloggers from all over the US, ready to help face-paint, serve food, and man the crafting tables for this fun event. And why, may you ask, was I there?  As part of the ‘Around the World’ kickoff party, I led mini-dance classes throughout the afternoon from different parts of the globe: Hawaiian hula lessons, Mexican hat dance sessions, and of course West African jam circles!  Seeing firsthand how dance really broke the ice for some of these kids to find an escape from the daily hospital life was truly moving.  It was great to have their families and some of the St. Jude staff join in as well!  All of the patients were unforgettable to me, but one girl in particular stood out – Hillary Husband, who as it turns out is a clogger herself.  She recently got the opportunity to dance with The Rockettes in New York, and her enthusiasm to dance all three sessions with me was humbling.

Now until the end of September, YOU can donate to St. Jude to help these amazing kids.  Go to StJude.Expedia.com to donate NOW!  And remember, by donating you can enter to win a dream trip to places like Bora Bora, Hawaii, Germany, and more, or you can redeem incredible coupon savings for your upcoming hotel bookings!