UC students dance for a cause

What could be better than a dance party? One in support of a worthy cause.
 
This past weekend, the Cincinnati Dance Marathon held its fourth event in so many years to benefit children and families treated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. From disco moves to line dancing, participants danced across the gym floor of the University of Cincinnati Campus Recreation Center for 24 hours, from 1 pm Feb. 18 to 1 pm, Feb. 19, with a kick off ceremony at 1:45 pm.
 
Why dance for 24 hours straight? As Brittany Clawson, public relations director for the marathon, puts it, “As college students, it’s one day that we want to give up as a community for kids who are in the hospital, fighting for their lives every day.” The Cincinnati Dance Marathon was founded by students who had seen pediatric hospital fundraising marathons at other universities.
 
Before the students even started dancing, donations had been coming in from UC student volunteers who fundraised through their organizations, as well as via partnerships with local businesses and corporations and individual donations. Each year, the money raised by the marathon supports the pediatric oncology/hematology patients and families at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Before the dance began Saturday, more than 50 student organizations supported the event with volunteers, participants and donations.
 
More than 500 participants – most of them UC students – danced to fun tunes spun by award-winning DJ David Logan of Self Diploma and fellow DJ Eddie Traynor. In addition to a donation to the hospital, the $25 registration fee provided food, drinks, a T-shirt and lots of entertainment during the long dance. Fiends and family members of participants came to support the dancers, and student organizers hope that their efforts this weekend notably increase the $45,000 they have raised in just three years.
 
Do Good:
 
Donate: to the Cincinnati Dance Marathon any time of the year.
 
Participate: in the Cincinnati Dance Marathon next year or support those who will be participating.
 
Investigate: the amazing work at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center’s Hematology and Oncology Departments.
 
 By Becky Johnson