A former competitive ice dancer who had to stop competing after a knee injury, Aubrey Davenport has since focused her attention on helping others through her passion.
The sophomore at Santa Margarita Catholic High School plans to hold a fundraiser to benefit children battling cancer at Children’s Hospital of Orange County by holding Ice Skate for a Cure at the Aliso Viejo Ice Palace, 12:30-3 p.m. Saturday, April 22.
Davenport said money raised through the event will go toward ticket vouchers, good for admission at Disneyland. Davenport will then give those vouchers to children after their treatments at CHOC so they can enjoy a day at Disneyland with their families.
For $27, participants get rental skates to use on the ice, food and a pair of Mickey Mouse ears.
“My mom has been taking me to Disneyland since I was 2 and I always had an annual pass,” Davenport said. “My favorite memories have been at Disneyland with my friends, and I thought there was no better way to celebrate a child getting out of cancer treatment at CHOC.”
Davenport started figure skating at 3 and fell in love with the dresses and music, she said. She skated competitively for 12 years until the injury brought it to an end.
She currently is part of the Song team at Santa Margarita.
After forming the event and coordinating with CHOC, she took a tour of the hospital. The visit provided proof that she was making the right choice in creating the fundraiser.
“It was pretty amazing, but it was really heartbreaking to see the kids,” she said.
Davenport hopes to make Ice Skate for a Cure an annual event.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “This is the first event, so I’m sure I’ll learn from it and each year will be bigger and better. I hope it will be a great turnout.”
For more information, or to donate, visit iceskateforacure.org.