Cancer is a disease that affects most people — be it directly or indirectly — at some point in their lives, and Irina Sarukhanyan is someone who knows its painful impact firsthand. 

The professional dancer lost her mother to a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer in 2008, and the devastation of that loss inspired her to ask the question, “What can I do to change the negative effect cancer has on our lives?” Sarukhanyan's answer came with the idea to combine her dancing career with her passion to help others in the fight against cancer  — and thus "Dance for the Cure" was born.

In 2010, Sarukhanyan, with the help of some supportive colleagues, organized the first official Dance for the Cure black-tie gala with the goal of “supporting cancer research and programs through the power and artistry of dance.” Since then, the foundation has raised more than $150,000 for cancer research, including a 2015-16 donation of $50,000.

Along with her expanding charity efforts, Sarukhanyan has also become the co-owner of the Chevy Chase Ballroom and the Yuletide Ball DanceSport Championships. 

In honor of Sarukhanyan's work with DFTC, the American Cancer Society will be at the 2017 Yuletide Ball, which takes place at the Bethesda Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Rockville, MD, on Dec. 29-31, to present her with a special award for everything she and the ballroom dance community have done to further cancer research in hopes of a cure. 

Watch the 2017 Yuletide Ball DanceSport Championships LIVE on FloDance

“So many champions, judges, and current competitors will be in the ballroom when the award is presented, and many of them have helped in so many ways (to make DFTC what it is today)," Sarukhanyan said.

Dance for the Cure, which officially received 501(c)(3) status in 2014, has its own competitive division at the event and will host programs in American Rhythm on Friday, Dec. 29, American Smooth on Saturday, Dec. 30, and both International styles on Sunday, Dec. 31.

Competitors pay to dance in one or more programs that consist of three dances each. Their entry fee to dance in these programs goes directly to the DFTC foundation and dancers get the opportunity to not only compete but also help make a positive difference in the lives of others.

You can catch the entire event live on FloDance on Dec. 29-31 — see you there!