Celebrating Community & Kindness: Thank You to Our Dance Party Sponsor

Our 10-Year Dance Party was a night filled with joy, movement, and pure celebration, and it would not have been possible without the generous support of our event sponsor, the Alzheimer’s Biomarker Consortium–Down Syndrome (ABC-DS) at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital / University of Pittsburgh.

Their partnership made it possible for us to bring our community together for an unforgettable evening: great music, dancing, shout outs, awards, and the kind of connection you can feel long after the last song ends.

Why This Sponsorship Matters

ABC-DS is doing extraordinary work, leading groundbreaking research to better understand the relationship between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. Their commitment to improving health outcomes and advancing scientific understanding is not only inspiring, but deeply aligned with our values of accessibility, inclusion, and long-term community wellbeing.

When organizations invest in joy-centered, community-building events like our Dance Party, they are choosing to support more than a moment. They are supporting the belief that belonging matters, that mental health and connection matter, and that everyone deserves a place to move, laugh, and feel free.

Creating Space for Connection

Open Up has always been about making space: space for movement, space for care, space for one another. This year’s Dance Party reminded us what happens when people show up for each other: the room lights up. Energy shifts. People who walked in quietly are suddenly laughing and dancing with new friends. The night becomes more than an event, it becomes an experience of community.

ABC-DS helped make that possible. Their support allowed us to keep the event accessible, high quality, and joy filled.

A Grateful Community

To the entire team at ABC-DS: thank you for believing in this work and standing with us. Your support strengthens our mission, uplifts our community, and ensures that we can continue creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome.

Here is to partnership, presence, and many more moments of joy.