Each year, community leaders put on their dancing shoes in hopes of winning the title that is earned at the Dancing with Our Stars Gala. All this fun and friendly competition among participants 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.
CTF 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 Summer Camp held at Camp Kostopulos (Camp K).
Leading up to the grand event, we’re putting each star in the spotlight and introducing them on our blog. They will compete for the dancing title and mirror ball trophy at the Sept. 7 gala, in addition to soliciting contributions + votes prior to the event.
Meet DJ Williams (partnered with Chante Duncan of Funk Fusion Dance Company)
DJ Williams is a man of many talents with a BIG heart!
His pursuits run the gamut: he is a host on KARK Today morning show, a real estate agent with Aspire Realty, a public speaker, a former AR Razorback and former NFL football player for the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots. As a Razorback, DJ won the Mackey Award as the country’s best tight end in 2010. He also won the Disney Spirit Award as college football’s most inspirational figure that same year.
DJ Williams is both inspired and inspiring. After a difficult childhood, DJ chose to be happy and inspire others, which he hopes to do through the development and growth of his new company: Inspire For Five. The company’s name comes from DJ’s love for inspiring others followed by “For Five,” or 45, his former AR Razorback football number. The name of the company comes from DJ’s hopes that he can encourage and inspire others to find the five reasons that they do everything in life…the five reasons that keep them going.
DJ helps countless community organization and events and has served as ambassador for Women & Children First (WCF) for many years. DJ’s childhood experiences caused him to have a special affinity for WCF organization as well as for children in need.
DJ is excited to be both one of the Children’s Tumor Foundation’s Stars and be paired with an NF Ambassador for this year’s 10th Anniversary Spectacular of the Dancing with Our Stars Gala to help advance the mission to End NF. Both his talent and his heart are in it to help those afflicted with NF.
