Listen Here
By: Abigail Frye
Twitter: @Abigail_EF
Email: fryea@findlay.edu
Once again, Dance Marathon takes over the University of Findlay. The annual event sponsored by Circle K International was hosted on Saturday, Nov. 11 in the Fitness and Recreation Complex (FRC).
With goals of raising both money and awareness to childhood diseases and cancer for Toledo Mercy Children’s Hospital, participants succeeded raising a grand total of $40,967.51.
There were multiple events held throughout the night. Miracles stories from kids of Mercy Hospital were shared, a silent auction was conducted, hair was donated for Wigs for Kids, Jordie Rob performed for all of the dancers, and the big reveal for how much was raised ended the Dance Marathon. All activities and additional games lasted from 12 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Upon arrival at Dance marathon, Serena Parlette, a junior education major and committee member, says that participants received wristbands, which symbolized the hospital bands that the children receive.
“At the end of the night, the miracle children come around and cut our wristbands off to symbolize us leaving the hospital,” said Parlette.
Madison McGonigal, a senior pre-vet major and committee member, also attended Dance Marathon and speaks well of the attendance. “We always want to see more people, but we had a really good turnout,” said McGonigal.
The highest amount of money raised for the kids of Mercy Hospital was from Alysa Martin, who raised over $1,800.
Money was not the only donation given for Dance Marathon. Over 30 people donated at least four inches of hair for Wigs for Kids in which gives back to children affected by the hair loss of chemotherapy treatments for cancer.
The celebration of Dance Marathon also acted as remembrance of Kalie Fisher, a miracle child at Toledo Mercy Children’s Hospital, who passed away on Aug. 24, 2017. If a person raised over $1,600, they became a part of Kalie Klub.
The most memorable moments of the night for the dancing participants included the miracle stories of the kids and the big reveal, along with the tribute to the late Fisher.
For future Dance Marathons, both McGonigal and Parlette say they’d like to see an increase in participation. “I want to get more participation and get clubs that will make a difference,” said McGonigal.
