Supporters of the third annual Dance Against Cancer came out for a gala event in support of the American Cancer Society on Monday, May 6 with a VIP cocktail reception and stunning performances of 17 different vignettes at the AXA Equitable Theater in midtown Manhattan.

Repertoire included a special SNEAK PEEK of Christopher Wheeldon's new Cinderella performed by Principal Dancers Maria Kochetkova and Joan Boada of San Francisco Ballet, as well as world premieres by both Herman Cornejo and Charles "Lil Buck" Riley among other exciting works.

Produced by New York City Ballet's (NYCB) Daniel Ulbricht and Manhattan Youth Ballet's Erin Fogarty, performing artists included NYCB's Tyler Angle, Ashley Bouder, Robert Fairchild, Maria Kowroski, Lauren Lovette, Tiler Peck, Daniel Ulbricht, and Wendy Whelan. The American Ballet Theater (ABT) dancers included Jose Manuel Carreno (former dancer), Misty Copeland, Herman Cornejo, and Melanie Hamrick. Additionally, Alvin Ailey's Matthew Rushing, Martha Graham's Katherine Crockett and Lloyd Knight, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company's Clifton Brown and Attila Csiki, San Francisco Ballet's Joan Boada and Maria Kochetkova joined the lineup.

Co-producers and longtime friends Erin Fogarty and Daniel Ulbricht conceived Dance Against Cancer in 2010, as both Ms. Fogarty and Mr. Ulbricht have close ties to the cause. Ms. Fogarty lost her father in 2011 after a seven-year battle with colon cancer and Mr. Ulbricht's mother is currently battling uterine cancer. With so many of their close friends and family sharing stories of their own relation to the disease, the desire to do something grew into what is now a gala benefit.

The benefit supports the work that the American Cancer Society does through research initiatives as well as patient and family service programs. It also brings together artists from leading dance companies from New York City and beyond for a night of beautiful performances, world premieres and great company. Dance Against Cancer has raised over $60,000, since its inauguration, in support of the American Cancer Society.