Congratulations to the seven Primrose Family Dance-off contest finalists! We are so grateful for the enthusiastic families nationwide who have helped us promote healthy bodies and happy hearts for all children and families! We hope you had as much fun dancing as we've had watching your videos. I thought I would share a little bit about each family with you. They each have a wonderful story!
Week 1: Sudbury, MA benefiting the Boston Children’s Hospital
Andy Treviño, the young boy featured in their family video, was born in Mexico with Primary Immune Deficiency, an extremely rare genetic mutation that caused his immune system to fail. After prolonged hospital stays in Mexico with no improvement, the Treviños traveled to Children’s Hospital Boston for a stem cell transplant. The nurses and doctors there have become like family to the Treviños and always try to help Andy have fun! Their video, "Nurse Transplant Meds," was taken during a late-night shift when nurses frequently held dance parties in Andy’s room.
Week 2: Omaha, NE benefiting Children's Hospital & Medical Center
Mrs. Geer, who works for Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, said she and her family were motivated to enter the Primrose contest when they found out that a donation could be made to Children’s. In their video, “Dress Up,” the Geer family shows off their best moves by dancing up a storm to a pop song, while wearing crowns, tiaras, boas and pink tutus.
Week 3: Omaha, NE benefiting Children's Hospital & Medical Center
As a physical therapist at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Katie Wells knows that physical activity is very important for children young and old. She encourages her four children to play outside and be active as much as possible because she knows it has so many physical and emotional benefits. The Wells family chose “Blue,” a song from their favorite children’s CD. In their video the Wells children, seven-year-old Justin, five-year-old Megan, three-year-old Adam and one-year-old Mark, dance and somersault their way across the dining room.
Week 4: Mesa, AZ benefiting Phoenix Children's Hospital
In their video, “Tribute to MJ,” the McMichael family choreographed a dance to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. The whole family reenacted the music video complete with zombies and face paint. “Our son loves to dance and came home from school raving about the contest and said he wanted to make his own video,” said Angie Williams-McMichael.
Week 5: Glen Allen, VA benefiting the Richmond Children's Hospital and VCU Children's Medical Center
The Chandrans’ video, “Ria Rockin' Jai Ho!!!,” features their daughter Ria showing off her best movement to music skills – when not distracted by her teddy bear or bottle. “As a parent, we want the best for our child. Every parent does. We strongly believe that we play an important role in helping our child to be active by being active ourselves and we try finding fun opportunities and ways for our family to be active together,” added Ria's mom, Mahalakshmi Chandran.
Week 6: Chattanooga, TN benefiting T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital
The Howard family was inspired to enter the contest when they learned they had the chance to win $30,000 for T.C. Thompson Children’s, the hospital that treated their two-year-old son Tristan Howard and performed his three surgeries over the last year. As a young infant, Tristan developed severe sinus issues, which caused infections so bad that he nearly suffered permanent vision impairment. In the Howard’s video, “Tristan’s Debut,” Tristan jumps and shakes to the beat of the Black Eyed Peas’ “Boom Boom Pow.”
Week 7: Colorado Springs, CO benefiting the Denver Children’s Hospital
As an elementary school principal, Carlos Lopez has had a number of students over the years whose lives have been touched by the Children's Hospital. The Lopez family believes that exercise doesn't have to take place at a gym to be good for you. Carlos said, “Our family understands the value of being active while having a great time together. We always have fun dancing and acting silly! We are not serious dancers, but we like to laugh, and often our laughter and exercise go hand in hand!” In the Lopez’s video, “I Love You...Primrose,” the whole family got into the action.
Be sure to vote for your favorite finalist – or hospital! Voting for finalist week ends Friday, March 26 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Congratulations again to these seven families on your spectacular dance moves!
