Jake Jacobson spent seven months studying dance with Joan Augustyn in preparation for BMA Foundation’s Dine & Dance With The Stars. Following 13 fundraisers in 13 weeks, the duo performed their three-minute ballroom routine to “Groove is in the Heart” and “HandClap” in front of an enthusiastic audience at the Overland Park Convention Center on June 10th. Jake’s goal was a lofty one – he had hoped to raise $30,000 – but he easily exceeded it, with a final tally of $35,000. Proceeds from the event helped fund Noah’s Bandage Project, which collects brightly-colored bandages for cancer patients (more than 56,000 boxes of them at last count) and has raised more than $200,000 for pediatric cancer research. Noah Wilson, the young cancer patient who came up with the idea, died in December 2015, but his family and friends are continuing his work. The BMA Foundation, named in honor of the late Brian M. Anselmo, helps small non profits raise funds and awareness – yes, through events such as this one, where Jake took the stage.

Joan Augustyn and Jake Jacobson

Also featured in the August 5, 2017 issue of The Independent