CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — On Saturday, Carolina for the Kids hosted its 25th annual dance marathon. Fetzer gymnasium was filled with music, strobe lights and a palpable feeling of joy.
While it may look like one big dance party, Public Relations Chair Chad Purcell said that Dance Marathon is CFTK’s biggest fundraising event of the year.
“Our main goal is to just raise as much money and financially, emotionally support the patients and families at UNC children’s in any way we can,” he said.
Dancers are required to raise money and remain standing for 12 hours, which is the entire duration of the event. This represents standing in solidarity with the patients from UNC Children’s Hospital as well as hospital staff, who often stand for 12-hour-plus shifts.
CFTK’s Local Sponsorship Subchair Caroline Prendiville sprained her ankle the day before the dance marathon. But even though she couldn’t dance, she said that there were inclusive activities for her to participate in.
“They’ve had dogs to pet and different things like that, and performances to watch, spelling bees, dating show shenanigans, so it’s definitely still fun,” she said. “Even though I can’t get up and dance. I can still support the kids. So I really appreciate that.”
Besides dancing, dancers could write notes to UNC Children’s Hospital patients and participate in activities like basketball and capture the flag.
In addition to the money raised for the hospital, all of the food left over from the marathon is donated to local shelters. Organizational Donations Chair Anna Soto said that this year, the food will go to the Ronald McDonald House and the SECU Community House.
“All of our food left over we donate to the shelters in the area,” she said. “So it’s always great to see the look on their face.”
Altogether, CFTK raised $290,519.61, around $2,200 more than last year.
But even with the increase in donations, Purcell said that attendance has suffered from COVID-19.
“Before COVID, Dance Marathon was super big, and like everyone came to it,” he said. “We averaged around 1,000 people. It’s been, I guess a little bit less than that since after COVID, just because our name hasn’t been out there as much as it has been.”
Last weekend was the second in-person marathon since the pandemic.
Prendiville said that it’s important to her to show her support for the families at the UNC Children’s Hospital.
“It’s 12 hours of your year, and that’s not a lot in hindsight,” she said. “And it really does make a difference to just show your support. And you get to have a lot of fun.”