NC State Students Dance for Duke Children’s

On February 24, over three-hundred students at NC State danced, sang, cheered, and more – all to honor the children and families at Duke Children’s hospital. The 12-hour long Dance Marathon event culminated a year in which the program raised $79,008.34 to benefit their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. This was the program’s fifth annual event, the first being in February 2013. Dance Marathon at NC State is one of four Miracle Network Dance Marathon programs benefiting Duke Children’s. They are a part of an even larger nationwide movement that unites college, university, and high school students across North America.

Throughout the school year, the organization hosts events to raise both money and awareness for Duke Children’s. Students involved in the organization spend a year gaining valuable leadership, teamwork, and nonprofit business experience. This year alone, Dance Marathon at NC State had several percentage nights at surrounding restaurants, a cornhole tournament on campus, and a patient family Thanksgiving pot-luck dinner at a local church, just to name a few of their activities. They also do campus outreach to educate students about the program and its mission. In order to take that a step further, registered dancers had the opportunity to tour Duke Children’s several times in the fall, all coordinated and executed by the Family Relations Committee.

Last Saturday, students filled Talley Student Union and pledged to stand for 12-hours for the kiddos at Duke Children’s who are facing some of life’s biggest challenges. They enjoyed performances by campus bands, dance groups, and more. Miracle Families from the hospital, thirteen of them in fact, came to the event to share their story and express how Dance Marathon has made a difference in their experience at Duke and in their lives outside of the hospital. These stories were poignant reminders of the positive impact that the Dance Marathon participants have on the hospital. The event ended with a total fundraising reveal that was celebrated by all in the room.

Thank you to everyone at NC State and all involved for their continued support of Duke Children’s. We couldn’t do it without you! #ForTheKids