A group of undergraduate students is planning the second annual Dance Marathon, a fundraiser to benefit Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Dance Marathon is an eight-hour event to raise money for children battling cancer and will take place Jan. 9 from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on the basketball courts at the Recreational Complex in the Don Taft University Center.
Dance Marathon is a nationwide movement involving college and high school students at more than 250 schools across the country, all raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in their community.
Graduate Assistant for Special Events and Projects Sean Ryan brought Dance Marathon to campus and said that the event means a lot to him because it gives children hope.
“Dance Marathon brings together so many people to fight for a cause and there is no greater calling than that,” he said. “Dance Marathon has taught me to be a lot more humble and be aware of my everyday actions and to not take for granted the things I do.”
Children and families from Joe DiMaggio will attend and hospital representatives will speak. The event, which will be open to the public, will include a photo booth, games, free food, drinks and prizes for every theme hour that the students stay for. The different theme hours include: Country Tribute, Hip Hop, Power Hour, Twister Tournament and 90s babies throwback.
Kathleen Bowman, junior business administration major and vice president of the Dance Marathon committee, said students don’t have to dance to attend.
“I don’t feel comfortable dancing in front of people, but I love attending this event,” she said. “There are so many other activities attendees can participate in. Since it’s for a good cause, it’s worth being a part of.”
The event’s committee devised three rules for Dance Marathon: no sitting, no caffeine and have fun.
“The no sitting rule is a part of the nationwide Dance Marathon movement’s motto, ‘we must dance for those who can’t,” Bowman said. “The no caffeine rule is something our committee created; we want attendees to be a part of the experience because they want to be — not rely on something to keep them there.”
Rachel Salveson, senior biology major and president of the Dance Marathon committee, said getting involved in a cause helps a person to find out what they are most passionate about.
“Not only is Dance Marathon a way to help families have everything they need to help their children beat their sickness, it’s also a great networking opportunity to meet new people,” she said.
Graduate Assistant for Special Events and Projects and co-adviser for the Dance Marathon committee, Kaitlyn Bamrick said the event is a great way to be able to bond with different students.
“Since everyone who attends will be in one area for eight hours, students don’t have a choice but to meet new people,” she said.
Ryan said Dance Marathon impacts students’ experience at NSU and in life.
“Having the opportunity to see children or young adults overcome this huge challenge is very rewarding,” he said. “Being a part of this event will give students a whole new perspective on life and how something so small can impact so many people.”
To register, donate or to find more information about Dance Marathon, visit gofundme.com/g850kc. To speak to someone directly about the event, contact Salveson at 630-849-5174 or rs1428@nova.edu
