Benefit Dance for Will Dicus February 6

Story by Anna Oakes

For years, area motorists have seen the bright yellow bumper stickers with the message “Pray for Dicus.” Now cars are sporting a new batch of bright yellow stickers encouraging people to “Dance for Dicus!”

On Friday, February 6, High Country residents have the opportunity to do just that at the Dance For Dicus benefiting the Will Dicus Medical Fund.

DJ Brian from Sound Technique will play family-friendly music from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, along with current hits, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Watauga High School gym. Admission is $10 per person, with children under 5 admitted free with a parent. Dress is casual, and light refreshments will be served.

Thanks to the generosity of the sponsors recruited by organizer Brent Whitley, 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Dicus Medical Fund.

Watauga High School senior Will Dicus was diagnosed with a rare form of Ewing Sarcoma six years ago. He has undergone years of cancer therapy, fighting the disease. An avid baseball player, Will has continued to train and pitch when he can. Most recently, the son of Pepi and Bill Dicus has been receiving experimental chemotherapy at the National Health Institute in Baltimore, Md.

Dance For Dicus is the brainchild of 20-year-old CCC&TI Watauga Campus Student Body President Brent Whitley. He first learned about the Dicus family while serving as a volunteer in the emergency room at Watauga Medical Center. When he inquired about a flyer for the Dicus Medical Fund, Brent learned about Will and his family’s ongoing battle against cancer. He was inspired to help. “I thought a benefit dance would be a great way to rally the community around this family who means so much to the Boone area,” Whitley said. When ICU and emergency room nurse Pepi gave her blessing to proceed, Whitley began recruiting local sponsors.

The bright yellow “Dance For Dicus” bumper stickers are free at sponsors Chick Fil A, Jersey Mike’s Subs at New Market and Tucker’s Cafe at the Boone Mall. Other sponsors include Ingle’s Supermarket, Watauga Medical Center employees, Shepherd’s Heart Ministries, High Country Cotillion, Baptist Campus Ministries at ASU, Donald P. Thrasher Accounting Services, Boone Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Mast General Store and Hopewell United Methodist Church.

“All ages are welcome, and are invited to ‘dance through the decades’ while supporting the Dicus family,” Whitley said.

To become a sponsor or to volunteer at the dance, contact Whitley at 828-773-4681 or btwhitley@yahoo.com.

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