USC's first lady joins 'Dancing with the Stars'colon cancer benefit March 1

COLUMBIA - Donna Sorensen, the University of South Carolina's first lady, will be among the honored guests at a March 1 "Dancing with the Stars" benefit for colon-cancer research and awareness.

The event, to be held at 6 p.m. at the State Museum in Columbia, will feature three dance competition teams. Sorensen will join Debbie Bryant of Charleston, director of the Hollings Cancer Center Outreach Services, Brian Deroy of Columbia, an anchor on WIS-TV's

Sunrise" show, and Allen Wilson of Columbia, an assistant attorney general, on the panel of judges for a ballroom dancing competition.

Tickets for "Unmasking Colon Cancer: Dancing with the Stars" are $100 per person or $150 per couple. The cost covers cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and dancing. A silent auction will feature an original work of art by Charleston native John Carroll Doyle.

"Our goal is to unmask colon cancer and to raise awareness about the disease," said Dr. Frank Berger, director of the university's Center for Colon Cancer Research. "Contributions will go directly to education, screening and research programs in South Carolina."

The university's Center for Colon Cancer Research, the S.C. Gastroenterology Association, Lexington Medical Center and the Gibbs Cancer are hosting the event.

For more information about "Dancing with the Stars," visit www.cccr.sc.edu or call 803-777-1231.