WEST CHESTER, PA — Hundreds of dancers, families and community members will come together in West Chester for an evening of performances, heartfelt tributes and support for people affected by breast and ovarian cancer.
West Chester University’s fifth annual Dance for HER benefit concert returns Sunday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m. in Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, bringing together the university’s dance programs and studios from across Chester County to raise money for local nonprofit Unite for HER.
Since its founding in 2022, Dance for HER has raised more than $75,000 to help provide education, wellness resources and supportive therapies for individuals navigating breast and ovarian cancer.
This year’s concert continues that tradition with original dance performances by regional studios, the West Chester University Dance Company and the WCU Dance Team.
The annual showcase has become an opportunity for dancers of different ages and experience levels to share the stage while honoring people whose lives have been touched by cancer.
Participating studios will dedicate performances to individuals they are “dancing for,” recognizing loved ones, friends and community members affected by breast or ovarian cancer.
“Dance for HER has grown into something much bigger than we ever imagined when we started it,” said Gretchen Studlien-Webb, who leads the University Dance Company.
“It is incredibly meaningful to see dancers, teachers, families and the WCU community come together each year to use dance as a way to support people whose lives have been affected by breast and ovarian cancer.”
A new feature of the 2026 concert will give audience members an opportunity to participate in those tributes.
The Dance for HER Tribute Board will invite attendees to bring a photograph, handwritten note or small memento honoring someone affected by cancer. The items will be displayed throughout the event, creating a shared expression of remembrance, encouragement, and support.
The tribute board is intended to recognize not only individuals undergoing treatment but also the families, friends and caregivers whose experiences are part of the broader cancer community.
Dance for HER’s commitment to service has also received recognition beyond the university. The event earned Unite for HER’s 2025–26 Student Service Award, honoring its ongoing fundraising efforts and its ability to bring the dance community together around a shared mission.
The beneficiary organization has strong ties to West Chester University.
Unite for HER was founded in 2009 by WCU alumna and former university dancer Sue Weldon. The nonprofit provides integrative therapies, education, and wellness resources designed to improve quality of life for people affected by breast and ovarian cancer.
Although founded locally, Unite for HER now serves patients nationwide, supporting more than 10,500 people annually.
Funds raised through Dance for HER help advance the organization’s work, connecting the artistic contributions of local dancers with services for patients and families.
Participating studios and individual dancers can also organize fundraising efforts before the concert, allowing supporters to contribute even if they cannot attend the performance.
Event Details
- What: Fifth Annual Dance for HER Benefit Concert, featuring the West Chester University Dance Company, WCU Dance Team, and regional dance studios in support of Unite for HER
- When: Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, at 6 p.m.
- Where: Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, Philips Memorial Building, West Chester University, 700 S. High Street, West Chester, PA 19383
- Cost/Tickets: General admission is $23 ($20 ticket plus $3 in fees). Tickets are available through the West Chester University ticketing website.
- More Info: Purchase tickets at https://wcupatix.com/org-events or make a donation at https://uniteforher.salsalabs.org/danceforher2026/index.html
Audience members who wish to contribute to the Tribute Board are encouraged to bring a photograph, note, or other small keepsake honoring someone affected by cancer.
Those unable to attend can still support the cause through the event’s online fundraising page.
For the dancers, the concert offers an opportunity to use their talents for something beyond the stage. For families and supporters, it provides a space to celebrate loved ones, remember those who have died and stand alongside people continuing their cancer journeys.
As Dance for HER enters its fifth year, the event reflects how a university performance can grow into a community tradition, bringing people together through movement, generosity and a shared commitment to helping others.
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