I’m Karina Lawrence. I’ve been dancing since the age of four and working in the entertainment industry from the age of eight. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2012 and just recently given my first all clear since relapsing with another found tumor. It has been the most challenging journey to date; yet Cancer has, in a strange way, healed me. I have had all the chemotherapy my body can take and recently radiation. It was during treatment I was blessed with the insight and awareness of my path, if I were to survive. To be able to give back to those that inspired me beyond words and raise awareness and much needed funds for childhood cancer. I am beyond thrilled to announce I am on the right path in joining such a wonderful and affective cause such as Dancers Against Cancer and The Circle Of Hope Dancers Foundation as the Australian Ambassador. I gratefully, recently experienced the Industry Dance Awards in LA, a cancer benefit show and am still beaming with the amazing people I met and shared such a life changing experience with. Until it happens to ‘us’ we don’t imagine the extent of how things can and do change. I believe united we stand and as a special friend once made me aware, a circle has no exits. A simple act of awareness and kindness can make all the difference and it was such a privilege to be part of this circle, with the dance community coming together, to make a difference to those dealing with this horrid disease. I’m very much honored and looking forward to assisting in being a voice for those warriors, who have already made such a difference to my life.

“The capacity of hope is the most significant fact of life. It provides human beings with the sense of destination and the energy to get started…Norman Cousins.”

– Karina Lawrence, Australian Ambassador: Circle of Hope Dancers Foundation