3rd Annual Dancing with the Doctors August 23rd, 2025!

Saturday August 23, 2025 | Deerwood Castle, Jacksonville
Benefiting the Maya Dronca Foundation

"Whoever saves one life, saves the entire world"- paraphrased from the Talmud.

My name is Juan Carlos Leoni-Moreno, and I am a Transplant Cardiologist. I have 2 small children, Ana Corina and Lorenzo. They are 7 and 4 years old, respectively. I am very passionate about them, their laughter, their ingenuity, warmth, mischiefs, and especially, their infinite love. But truly before having kids, I did not fully appreciate how can we indefinitely love someone, care, feel, and fear for them. They are a Godsend, and a piece of Heaven on Earth. Children are the most beautiful thing that could ever happen to you, and definitely it has been for me.

Ultimately, for all of you who have ever cared for a sick or suffering child, as a provider, a caregiver, or for the little one from someone else, what connect us with one another is knowing how vulnerable they can be, and how much we want them to get better again, to laugh, to run, to love.....when I heard about Maya's history of hope, resilience, spirit, and love a few years ago throughout my colleagues at Mayo, I saw her extraordinary life in the warmth and kindness of my own children.

Life if full of events that sometimes we cannot control, and many times, overcome. But you can control and decide how you react to it. So, when I was invited to participate this year in Dancing with the Doctors for the Maya Dronca Foundation, I initially found myself with many excuses: I'm too busy, too tired, too old (to dance), I already help people through my job, or maybe later.... but when I hug my kids at home, and heard their laughter, see their shenanigans, and feel their love, well I know I can think about Maya, step out of my comfort zone, reset my priorities straight, and react by helping this extraordinary nonprofit Foundation and raise funds for pediatric cancer research, advancing life-saving treatments, and creating a future where every child can thrive, free from cancer. 

Together, we can outsmart, outlive cancer. For your kids, my kids, and all kids in the world. While I'm practicing off hours in the next few months for this Gala with my dancing partner Tanya, I'll be telling Ana Corina and Lorenzo that you can help other kids by dancing. They'll giggle, blush, even call me silly...but I think they will dance along with me!

Please join us for an unforgettable evening of live performances, gourmet dining, and heartfelt celebration — all to support children and families impacted by cancer.

Together, we are dancing toward hope, cures, and a brighter future. 

Shall we dance?