This year at UNC, I have been blessed to experience what is the 2010 Dance Marathon... from start to finish! I have been working with a group of Carolina students since April 2009 to plan the 2010 marathon, which is taking place February 19-20, 2010, and it has been one amazing ride! I have learned so much about compassion, hard work, dedication, leadership, giving, and hope this year, and my heart just bursts with joy when I see all these people coming together to support this amazing cause either by taking the 24 hour stand, or by reaching out to support students who will be making the symbolic stand. I am proud and honored to go to a university that is so dedicated to causes like this and I feel blessed to be a part of a family and community who will support me in my effort to help. 

The UNC Dance Marathon is the largest student run philanthropy on campus, and all of our fundraising efforts throughout the year benefit N.C. Children’s Hospital. This year’s marathon will take place from 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 19, 2010, until 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 20, 2010.  At the marathon, hundreds of community members, volunteers and families will come together as more than 1,000 Carolina students stand on their feet for 24 hours in a symbolic show of support for the families and patients of N.C. Children’s Hospital.  Together we will celebrate the results of our yearlong fundraising efforts, which totaled more than $390,000 last year!  Last year we were able to support many initiatives and grants in the hospital, and this year I have seen how much of a difference those funds made with families. So that is why I am asking for your support now, so that this year we can continue our support and continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families of N.C. Children's Hospital. 

I encourage you to join my efforts to help the families and patients of N.C. Children’s Hospital.  Donations directly support pediatric organizations and initiatives within N.C Children’s Hospital such as the Healthy Steps education and support program, and the For the Kids Fund, a unique fund set up to help families cover costs not associated with insurance or Medicaid that they may not otherwise be able to afford.

Here are a few examples of how past donations to the For The Kids Fund have helped patients and families:

• Paid hundreds of electric and phone bills for North Carolina families overwhelmed by unexpected medical costs.
• Provided holiday dinners and gifts for families who could not afford them on top of costly hospital bills.

The 2010 UNC Dance Marathon cannot succeed without the generosity of donors like you.  Please join us in uniting the UNC campus and community, my friends and family, in support of the patients and families of the N.C. Children’s Hospital.

Thank you all for taking the time to visit my page and learn more about the UNC Dance Marathon. If you have any questions, please email me at sjtaylor@email.unc.edu.

For the Kids,

Taylor