Photography by Carper Creative Photography
Each year, community leaders dazzle + delight a crowd of enthusiastic patrons at the Dancing with Our Stars Gala. This year’s virtual evening of friendly competition benefits the Children’s Tumor Foundation and supports the Arkansas chapter’s research and mission: to end and find a cure for neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that disturbs cell growth in the nervous system, causing tumors to form on nerve tissue.
Children Tumor Foundation also provides support for children and families affected by NF. A portion of the proceeds is donated for grants to send Arkansas teens to the International NF Camp.
We’re putting each star in the spotlight and introducing them. Voting and related festivities begin TODAY.
Anne Imanuel Preston,
Dancing with Brian Earles – with Shuffles & Arkansas Festival Ballet
“In a year filled with more than its fair share of tough news and circumstances I am so happy to be able to channel my energy into raising money and awareness for the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Plus it helps that my dance instructor and partner, Brian Earles, is a blast to be around! I mean that literally— he blasts me up into the air at every practice!
This year’s event is exciting because for $50 anyone can watch our performance virtually. I would appreciate the support! And here’s to hoping I land upright!”
Anne Preston is used to speaking to a virtual audience – but not dancing to one! She’s an award-winning television news anchor who is equal parts excited and terrified to be taking part in this year’s competition.
Anne anchors newscasts from Arkansas for cities throughout the country. It’s a unique setup; and it has become even more interesting this year with the global pandemic. She is broadcasting the news from her living room.
A Florida native, Anne moved to Little Rock in 2015 with her husband Mike. She previously worked as an anchor and reporter for TV stations in Tampa, Tallahassee, Fort Myers and Gainesville.
The Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists have recognized Anne with several awards for her work in broadcast news. She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Florida and was inducted into the UF Hall of Fame. She was also crowned as the 2005 UF Homecoming Queen but she was not judged on her dancing for that title.
The mission of the Children’s Tumor Foundation, and its efforts to support families affected by neurofibromatosis, really resonates with Anne. She and her husband are both carriers of another genetic condition, cystic fibrosis. They were incredibly fortunate that their son Pierce was born in 2019 without the disease. But they are dedicated to helping other families who are affected. Anne and Mike work closely with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to raise awareness and funds to fight CF. And now Anne hopes to do the same for NF.
Anne also serves on the Advisory Council for the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas. And she has helped Easter Seals with its fundraising efforts as well.
Dancing with Our Stars – September 10, 2020
Vote for Anne – www.ctf.org/anneimanuelpreston
