"She loved to dance," Kellie O'Riordan said as she recalled her mother Barbara's passion for life.

Barbara's life ended after a battle with ovarian cancer.

O'Riordan still saddens as she speaks of her mother and father's last Anniversary dinner five years ago.

"He asked, 'Can I have this dance?' When he reached for her hand, mom said 'I can't, I'm just too tired.' So this dance competition is about the dance they never had," O'Riordan said.

Teaming up with Fred Astaire and other studios, O'Riordan put together the first "Stars for Survivors" dance competition.

Modeled after ABC's hit show "Dancing with the Stars," each couple was first introduced at the Villa Milano by way of a video interview. Then it was time to kick up their heels for a two and a half-minute routine.

There were a few media personalities, including NBC 4 anchor Mindy Drayer who showed considerable dexterity with her partner, Roman, on her way to a score of 27 out of a possible 30.

Drayer was happy to remind fellow anchor Cabot Rea of her supremacy as the late-night anchor sang and danced his way to a respectable 25 with partner Amy Jordan, owner of the Westerville Fred Astaire studio.

Rea danced for his mother, Elizabeth, who died of acute Leukemia in January.

But the event was also about the celebration of life and the inspiration of cancer survivors.

Ryan Taylor spent a year in chemotherapy and radiation to fight of Hodgkins disease at 13 years old.

Now at 25 years old, he dazzled the judges to win the judges' award.

"You danced while you cannot because you can,'' Ryan said. It's a motto shared by the dozen cancer survivors who have found through their struggle that life is something to kick up your heels over.

Barbara Sweeney, a six-year breast cancer survivor who backed up and fell over a poorly-placed bike and fracturing an ankle, took to the floor in a cast.

"We all root for each other. It's a chance to let our hair hang down and enjoy it. Our motto is living everyday to the fullest, and we are doing that," she said.

The event raised more than $15,000 for The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute