The MainStreet Dance Company Showcase is much more than a performance; it is a heartfelt community gathering that unites dancers, families, and neighbors in support of a worthy cause.
This year’s showcase, to be held on February 21 at the Bellwood Antis High School Auditorium, will raise funds for 27‑year‑old Mikayla Yanchik from Bellwood, who has spent half her life battling complex, life‑threatening medical conditions.
Since its inception in 2010, the showcase has provided a stage for talented performers to shine through group, solo, duo, and trio performances while raising more than $11,500 to benefit individuals and organizations in Bellwood and surrounding areas.
Mikayla lives with Crohn’s Disease, Peptic Ulcer Disease, Severe Gastroparesis, and Ehlers‑Danlos Syndrome, and due to intestinal failure, she has not been able to eat food for the past 13 years.
To survive, she relies entirely on total parenteral nutrition (TPN), delivered through a central line near her heart, which has led to cirrhosis of the liver and further jeopardized her health.
Because of intestinal failure and cirrhosis, Mikayla is listed for a multi-visceral transplant, a rare and complex surgery involving five or more organs.
She needs a new liver, stomach, pancreas, and both small and large intestines, and has been on the transplant list for 20 months, moving to second in line after the liver was added to her transplant needs in October 2025.
Due to her small frame and weight of just 92 pounds, she requires pediatric donor organs with an O‑positive blood type.
Her family and community remain hopeful that the call for her transplant will come soon, offering a chance for renewed health and greater independence.
The MainStreet Dance Company, from Andrea’s School of Dance in Bellwood, aims to rally the community not only to celebrate Mikayla, but also to provide tangible support for her future.
Unlike the traditional annual recital that primarily features group numbers, this 90‑minute showcase highlights the individual stories and unique journeys of each dancer through a variety of engaging dance styles.
Each piece will be introduced with a brief narrative, and a 10‑minute intermission will offer attendees time to connect, reflect, and deepen their understanding of the cause.
All proceeds from the event will go directly toward Mikayla’s medical expenses and related needs.
Tickets will be available at the door for a suggested donation of $7. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m., and the performance will begin at 7:00 p.m.
In addition to ticket donations, audience members are encouraged to make further contributions in the lobby to support Mikayla during this challenging time.
For more information about the MainStreet Dance Company Showcase or ways to support Mikayla Yanchik, please contact Andrea’s School of Dance in Bellwood, PA at 814 742-8211 or [email protected].
