‘Dancing for a Cure’: Teen organizes recital in memory of loved ones lost to cancer

A local student is using her senior project to honor an aunt and a friend who both died of brain cancer.

Columbus North High School senior Gabi Duncan has organized a recital entitled “Dancing for a Cure,” which will be held at North’s auditorium on Sunday. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., and the show starts at 1 p.m.

Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite or at the door. All proceeds will be donated to the Well Yeah Ariel Roberts Foundation, which promotes awareness and research of glioblastoma and childhood cancers and awards scholarships in memory of Ariel Roberts.

Ariel, a North cheerleader and friend of Duncan, died from glioblastoma earlier this year at age 18. Glioblastoma is a highly malignant type of cancer that occurs in the brain and spinal cord, with more than 13,000 Americans diagnosed every year. The reasons for the occurrence are unknown.

Her mother, Carrie Roberts, said in a previous interview that even as she fought cancer, whenever Ariel was asked if she wanted to join in some activity, the her reflexive response was, “Well, yeah!”

Duncan, a fellow North cheerleader, is holding the recital in memory of both Ariel and her late aunt, Natalie Donohoe-Hart. Donohoe-Hart, who was also her godmother, was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2021 and died in August of 2022 at age 54.

“It really took a toll on me, and then my friend Ariel was diagnosed with the same type of cancer, and she passed away in January,” Duncan said. “And I knew I wanted to do something in their honor and help their memory keep going.”

Ariel was diagnosed in January of 2022 and died a year later, Carrie Roberts said.

At first, when her aunt died, it “didn’t seem real,” Duncan said. Once it finally hit her, it was hard to cope. She had started to feel better — and then Ariel’s condition worsened.

“I came to the realization that it might be Ariel’s time and that she has put up a good fight,” she said. “And when she passed it took another toll on me. And the day I found out she passed, I had a dance competition, so I had a solo called ‘Lost’ and I dedicated it towards Ariel and her fight with glioblastoma. And it was really hard to get through that dance.”

A reprise of “Lost” is included in the recital program for “Dancing for a Cure.”

Roberts, who is Duncan’s senior project mentor, said it’s great that she is using her love of dance to support glioblastoma awareness.

“She’s taking, kind of, two passions and together, and I just think that’s wonderful,” she said. “I think that’s what we need more of out there.”

“(Dance) has helped me express my emotions,” Duncan said. “I don’t necessarily show my emotions with friends or family, but with dance I’m able to express it in any shape or form that I want, and it’s really helped me get better at sharing how I feel with others.”