Queen of Scots Dance Academy

After spending hours upon hours practicing to get our feet perfect for competition - the perfect turn-out, pointing those toes, high heels and all - this time we're putting our feet to a different use. The QSDA dancers and parents put aside their Ghillies for a day and put on a pair of tennis shoes.

In the spring of 2006, studio founder and teacher Bree was diagnosed with breast cancer at only 23 years of age. After 3 surgeries, and now a double mastectomy, Bree is still struggling through this horrible disease. At nearly the same time as her original diagnosis, her father Keith was also diagnosed with cancer. He is doing great now! With two of our role models battling cancer at the same time, we decided to do what we do best and put our feet to work! We have walked for the past 3 years and plan on walking again in 2009. 2008 marked the first year that the entire studio all walked together - way to go QSDA!! In 2007, Bree and the dancers were featured on FOX 2 News! Click here to see the teaser video or see the entire interview below.

Did you know approximately 40,000 women died of breast cancer last year? If breast cancer is caught early it is 95% survivable.

That said, we need your help. Please make a donation today. Send check donations to us at: 11555 Maple Creek Court, Washington Township, MI 48094. Checks should be made out to the American Cancer Society.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a noncompetitive walk supporting the American Cancer Society's unique mission to fight cancer on four fronts: research, education, advocacy, and service programs. Today, there is more hope than ever for people touched by breast cancer. However, there is still much work to be done to promote early detection and to help those impacted by the disease which is why we choose to participate and hope you’ll join our efforts.

In December 2007, one of our dancers, Kinady, was diagnosed with Juvenile (Type 1) Diabetes. Having one of our own affected by this disease, not only affect her - but all of us! The QSDA has banded together to help Kinady live with her diabetes each and every day. In addition, Mr. Bobby and Uncle Denny are also type 1 diabetics. With so many in our QSDA family affected by diabetes, we wanted to help the cause!

Diabetes is a chronic, debilitating disease affecting every organ system. There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes (an autoimmune disease also known as juvenile diabetes) and type 2 diabetes (a metabolic disorder also known as adult onset diabetes). Juvenile diabetes strikes children suddenly, makes them dependent on injected or pumped insulin for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. While diagnosis most often occurs in childhood and adolescence, it can and does strike adults as well. Although most diabetics can manage their diabetes through insulin, insulin is not a cure for diabetes. We are closer than every to a cure for diabetes.

In September 2009, we once again got together to walk in the Walk to Cure Diabetes for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Team Peach - Kinady's nickname - raised over $1,000 for JDRF with help from many of our highland dance families and friends.

Together we can make a difference!