Our Mission The Dance of Life, Inc. uses the gift of dance in a unique way to encourage, inspire and give hope to cancer survivors as well as others facing life altering experiences. Our focus is to speak, teach, and provide educational as well as inspirational materials on surviving and overcoming adversity while empowering others to improve the quality of their lives.

Catherine (Cathee) Roach-Connor
CEO/Founder

Cathee Roach-Connor is an Alumnus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. and a native of Queens, New York. Cathee moved to South Florida in 1984 to begin a new job and to build a new life with now ex-husband Dannie Connor. At age 35, a year after the death of their one and only child at birth, Cathee was diagnosed with breast cancer, changing the course of her life forever.

Dance became a way to express her pain and sorrow as well as joy, excitement, spirituality, and to find comfort in coping with emotional turmoil. Cathee endured surgery, chemo, and constant fatigue, yet was determined to rise above her circumstances.

In September of 1994, after hearing the song HERO, on her car radio, her desire for dance that had dwindled was rekindled by what she felt was God's calling, leading her to use the gift of dance for a special purpose and give hope to others facing cancer and other life altering experiences ─ thus the Dance of Life was created.

Connor has received numerous awards and recognitions, particularly from the American Cancer Society: Volunteer Courage, Spirit of Hope and Terese Lasser (Reach to Recovery) Memorial Award. She has been featured on television and radio stations both nationally and internationally. Certified as a Triple Touch Breast Health Instructor, Reach to Recovery (patient support) Trainer, and Lebed Method Instructor, Cathee is busy educating and spreading the word to anyone who will listen.

Even with her sometimes hectic schedule: speaking, teaching dance, support groups, committees, participating in walk-a-thons, as well as a member of Sistaah Talk (A National Black Leadership Initiative On Cancer), targeting women of color, etc, Connor still finds time to enjoy visiting with family and friends, bible study, and doing fun things, while she pursues living the best life yet. Cathee is proof that there is "life after cancer" through early detection, education, prevention, support, and prayer.    

DISCOVERY
  

A lasting spiritual legacy of hope and encouragement. . .