There is one night a year when the entire University stops...and stands up For the Kids! The UNC Dance Marathon is the University's largest student-run fund-raising organization in support of the North Carolina Children's Hospital. In its first ten years, the Marathon has raised more than $1.6 million dollars, including more than $320,000 last year alone. By signing up to be a dancer at this year's Marathon, I am pledging to stand on my feet for 24 hours and raise at least $100 in support for the families and children of the N.C. Children's Hospital. 

Today, you have the opportunity to help these children and their families. This money will go directly to the kids, into the "For the Kids Fund" as well as the N.C. Children's Heart Center and the hospital's Healthy Steps Program. From this fund, social workers can draw money to help families purchase things not covered by Medicaid and health insurance. This money has done things such as purchasing CD players for the children receiving chemotherapy treatments to making mortgage payments when a family has fallen behind.

This organization means so much to me and I really hope you will support me as I stand on my feet for 24 hours in honor of these wonderful children.