The first thing Realtor Bonnie Hensley said when the Kidney Foundation of Greater Chattanooga asked her to be a celebrity dancer for this year’s Dare to Dance fundraiser was, “You’re kidding, right?”
They were not. Several people had nominated her, and the person on the other end of the phone was calling to recruit her as a cast member.
Hensley was reluctant, partly because she’d never danced. She’d seen other people dance, and knew it involved a combination of music and movement, but beyond that, she’d never done the tango, let alone attempted the Macarena.
She also had no intention of revealing her lack of skill live to 800 people at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
“Don’t worry,” the voice on the phone assured her. “We’ll pair you with a partner who can teach you.”
Hensley’s lack of experience wasn’t the only thing keeping her from jumping at the opportunity; she was also in the midst of grieving her father’s death, which had occurred the week before the Kidney Foundation called her.
“My daddy passed away from congestive heart failure and renal failure,” says Hensley, 49. “He was 82. He lived a full life.”
But as Hensley rummaged through her emotions, she found two reasons to say yes to Dare to Dance. One was her father, a man she says she loves and admires beyond measure. The other was her 12-year-old son, Hudson, who was born with one kidney.
But before Hensley agreed to take the stage in October, she said she needed to speak with her family.
Hudson, who was with Hensley when she received the call, gave her his blessing.
“He said, ‘Mom, you have to do this for pops and me.’ So, no pressure,’” Hensley says as she rolls her eyes.
Next in line was Hensley’s mother, Betty. She, too, encouraged Hensley to participate.
“She said my daddy would be proud of me,” Hensley recalls, choking back a tear. “She also said it would give her a purpose and something to look forward to.”
This left Hensley’s husband, Jamie, who wound up being a tougher nut to crack.
“We’re custom homebuilders, and we work together, so I knew he was going to ask how much time it would take,” Hensley remembers. “He was a little hesitant at first but came around. It’s like being pregnant, where the woman is always three months ahead of the man.”
Hensley says her life has been a whirlwind since she said yes to Dare to Dance. After meeting her fellow cast members – and competitors – at a party in June, she launched a no-holds-barred fundraising attack aimed at raising awareness of early detection of kidney disease.
In addition to securing corporate sponsors, Hensley won the support of many of her fellow Realtors. In particular, Linda Brock and Gina Sakich, Hensley’s broker at Better Homes & Gardens Signature Brokers, purchased tables at the Dare to Dance event Oct. 23.
“Even though I’m with one company, agents at other companies are supporting me,” Hensley says. “I’m impressed with how everyone is rallying around this cause. They want to see what Bonnie Blue is going to do.”
Hensley adds her father nicknamed her Bonnie Blue because of the preponderance of the color in her wardrobe.
“I always wear blue, even when I practice dancing,” Hensley laughs.
Tasked with raising at least $25,000, Hensley conceived several smaller events designed to drum up support, including “Bonnie’s Botox & Bubbly,” which took place July 29 at Curate Medaesthetics, a benefit concert with Voodoo Slim Saturday, Aug. 14 at Jacob Myer’s Restaurant on the River in Dayton and a future dinner at Bald Headed Bistro in Cleveland.
Hensley also arranged for Barn Door Boutique in Ooltewah to sell shirts sporting an image an artist in Shreveport, Louisiana painted for free. After the two met on Instagram earlier this year, the artist painted an image of butterfly wings bursting from a kidney for Hensley to use with her campaign.
“When I saw the painting, I thought of a butterfly emerging from a cocoon with new life,” Hensley explains. “Like a butterfly, kidney patients are in a cocoon, and their wings will open someday and they’ll have life again.”
Hensley says she hopes these and other activities centered around the grand finale in October encourage people to not only contribute to an important cause but also consider how they can safeguard the health of their kidneys.
“Kidney disease is a silent illness that can happen to anyone,” she begins. “The two leading causes are high blood pressure and diabetes. If your family has a history of either of these, or if you have them yourself, you’re already at risk.
“Diet and exercise never hurt and are a wonderful place to start. Also, be open with your doctor. He or she can do a urinalysis kidney test at your annual physical and then refer you to a nephrology group.”
Hensley says the biggest challenge for her is juggling all the balls she has in the air, from hustling homes in a busy market, to scheduling fundraising activities, to getting in shape for her performance.
The latter includes not just learning the basics of dance and crafting the choreography but also working with a physical trainer four to five days a week.
“I have three months to nail it,” she says, suddenly sounding tired. “I’m in awe every Monday and Friday of something I didn’t know I could do at 49.”
The whirlwind has kept thoughts of dancing in front of a large audience this October at bay. Hensley knows the moment will come when she and Botting will step onto the stage, the music will begin and she’ll take her first step, but she doesn’t dwell on it.
“I can’t focus on there being 800 people in the audience,” she says, sounding like she’s trying to convince herself. “I just have to nail my dance, and then it won’t matter who’s out there.”
Besides, Hensley says, she trusts her partner, and the combination of dancing and working out has boosted her confidence and self-esteem.
It’s also helped her to grieve the loss of her father.
“This campaign has given me closeness to my daddy, even though he’s not here. I want to hold on to that as long as I can.”
Although Dare to Dance has sold out, Hensley is still accepting donations on behalf of the Kidney Foundation though her Facebook page.
In addition, the foundation will be selling virtual tickets online that will allow people to watch Hensley and the other 12 celebrity dancers perform live.