Discover the World of DanceSport in Montana!

In 2008, Irina Sarukhanyan lost her mother to pancreatic cancer. This loss, as devastating as it was, also acted as the catalyst that led Irina to ask, “What can I do to change the negative effect cancer has on our lives? How can I combine my professional skills and experience as a dancer with my desire to help?”

The answer came in the form of the idea to create an event that would invite the support of the entire ballroom dance community to raise funds to support cancer research. Irina mentioned the idea to her friend and dance colleague, Bill Sapp, who immediately responded,“That’s a great idea. Let’s do it!” And so, the 2010 Dance for the Cure was born.

More than 100 people gathered at the elegant black-tie dinner dance, enjoying the show by top U.S. professionals. Irina had reached out to the “movers-and-shakers” of the ballroom world for their support and the response was wholehearted. The list of those who came through reads like a Who’s Who of Ballroom Dance.

There were many who gave generously of goods, services and financial support who preferred to remain anonymous. Whether recognized or not, the sum added up to a very successful inaugural benefit.

In its first year, Dance for the Cure donated $5400 to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.

In 2010, Irina moved from Delaware to Maryland and became co-owner of Chevy Chase Ballroom and Yuletide Ball Championships with Garry Gekhman. The 2011 Dance for the Cure was presented as a more modest, yet equally successful social dance held at CCB.

In July 2014, Dance for the Cure Charitable Foundation was awarded 501(c)(3) status.

Our current goal is to raise active participation in Dance for the Cure Charitable Foundation to a national level. If each dance competition or show features Dance for the Cure events, this goal is readily reachable. We will also work with those who would like to host a Dance for the Cure event. As we plan for our upcoming events, we welcome any donations, contributions, services, and volunteers. Please contact us to discuss how you can “Dance for the Cure!”

​In June 2005, Senior Helping Hands, Prevention of Elder Abuse and Friends Volunteer Program merged to become Big Sky Senior Services. Our combined efforts offer comprehensive support services to help elders and developmentally disabled adults maintain their independence and quality of life by providing homemaking, case management or daily phone support.

Senior Helping Hands was started in 1977 to respond to the need for in-home services for elders in south central Montana. Today, Senior Helping Hands provides home care and homemaking services to over 100 seniors in Yellowstone, Stillwater and Carbon counties.

Prevention of Elder Abuse has pioneered innovative and comprehensive abuse prevention services since its founding in 1992. We were one of the first organization in the United States to conduct Gatekeeper training, which teaches community volunteers such as bank tellers, meter readers and mail carriers to spot and report possible elder abuse. Today, we provide information and assistance, abuse investigation, case management and financial payee services to elders and disabled adults throughout south central Montana.

Friends Volunteer Program is the only program in the Billings area that provides phone and friendly visitor support for elders. Many seniors receive either daily phone calls or weekly visits from volunteer friends. Phone buddies and friendly visitors help isolated elders live independently at home while staying connected to the community.