UNC Dance Marathon

The UNC Dance Marathon is a yearlong student fund-raising effort for the North Carolina Children's Hospital. In its first eight years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Marathon has raised more than $1 million dollars.

The N.C. Children's Hospital is the only state-supported pediatric facility in North Carolina. No patient is refused care, but the funding from the state covers only 10% of the hospital's costs.

All proceeds raised by the UNC Dance Marathon go to the For the Kids Fund, a unique fund set up to allow patients and families of the hospital to benefit directly from fund-raising. The For the Kids Fund helps cover costs not associated with insurance or Medicaid.

The UNC Dance Marathon culminates with a 24-hour celebration during which hundreds of student volunteers stand on their feet in a symbolic show of support to bring hope to the families and children of the N.C. Children's Hospital.

Mission

The UNC Dance Marathon unifies the University and surrounding community in order to improve the quality of life for the children and families of the N.C. Children's Hospital by demonstrating support for their needs and raising funds to address those needs

For the Kids Fund

The For the Kids Fund is a fund that allows the UNC Dance Marathon to give directly to the families and patients of the North Carolina Children’s Hospital to help with extra costs unassociated with insurance or Medicaid that they may not otherwise be able to afford. The Fund includes the Marathon’s entire annual fund-raising total.

Created in 2000, the For the Kids Fund allows families in need to purchase essential and costly items during their time of hardship. Such costs should not be a concern for parents when the real focus is the health of their children. The For the Kids Fund is an example of the UNC Dance Marathon’s mission statement in action �" to unify the University and surrounding community in order to improve the quality of life for the children and families of the N.C. Children’s Hospital.

History

2005
* Donated more than $184,000 to the For the Kids Fund!
* Featured more than 600 dancers and 400 volunteers and moralers
* Enhanced “Battle of the Bands” fund-raiser, with winning band scoring an hour onstage at the Marathon in February
* Introduced “Turn It Blue” campaign, selling “Turn it Blue” wristbands to UNC fans all over the country! 2006
* Donated more than $200,000 to the For the Kids Fund!
* Featured more than 750 dancers and 450 volunteers and moralers.
* Supported by many new corporate sponsors, including Bojangles, the title sponsor.
* Began new partnerships with the Cardiac Care Center and the Hematology-Oncology divisions of the NC Children’s Hospital.
* Reached a fund-raising total of more than $1 million over 8 years!2007
*Donated more than $236,000 to the For the Kids Fund!
*Supported by new corporate sponsors, including Smith Breeden Associates and Carrabba's, the title sponsor.
*Held first ever UNC Dance Marathon Homecoming Golf Classic.
*Expanded audience and silent auction at the 5th annual Benefit Reception.
*Involved more than 1,000 UNC students in planning and fund-raising efforts.

Links

UNC Dance Marathon website [http://www.uncmarathon.org/]