06/17/2026
Flower orders are due Friday by 5 PM!
Each recital season, Center Stage partners with Floracause to support a charity that holds special meaning to one of our dance families.
This year, we are proud to support South Shore Action for Hope, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, in honor of Aubrey Woods.
Aubrey's Story:
Before I knew what was wrong, I was really sick. I barely slept at night and during the day I felt exhausted and drowsy all the time. I had no appetite and would get sick after eating very little. I was constantly thirsty and drank so much water, but it never helped. One night after dinner, I had only eaten half of a meatball before I felt completely full and couldn’t eat anymore. Soon after, I got sick. That was when my mom decided we needed to go to the hospital. They ran so many tests. It wasn’t until after we left that my mom got the call. She called my dad, and that’s when we found out what was happening. I had Type 1 Diabetes. They told us I couldn’t even go home. I had to go straight to Boston Children’s Hospital because I was in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). I was so scared because I didn’t know anything about it. At the hospital I had to get two IVs and received a lot of fluids and insulin. That night I slept better than I had in months. My mom stayed with me in the room and my dad stayed in a nearby hotel so he could be close. The next day we began what they called the “education” part of being in the hospital. I was learning everything about how my life was going to change. I learned I couldn’t drink juice unless my blood sugar was low. If I wanted soda it had to be diet. I thought I couldn’t have pizza anymore. At the time it felt like the end of the world. I stayed in the hospital for five days and slept through much of it. Because it was the middle of 2020, it felt like we were in that room forever. When I didn’t have to be connected to the IVs anymore, my parents took me up to the roof. Feeling the breeze on my face made me feel so much better. For the first time since all of this started, I felt like I was going to be okay. By the end of my stay I was pricking my own finger and giving myself my own insulin shots.I realized that I couldn’t control that this happened, but I could control how I responded. So I started doing everything myself, with my parents close by. As time went on, technology helped too. Pricking my finger turned into using a Dexcom. Insulin shots became an InPen, which eventually became my insulin pump. Even now, every day comes with challenges. There are constant thoughts like “No, I can’t eat that,” or “Did you take your insulin?” and “Why are you high?” It can get tiring. But I push myself to be stronger, because when I want to do something, Type 1 Diabetes does not get to hold me back. Emotions, and my fears and frustrations melt away when I’m dancing.
I am also incredibly grateful for the patience, support, and mentorship of my teachers and my dance family who continue to support me.