I know, I know. You are asking yourself...*in confused overly tired voice* "What the heck does FTK mean? DM-Day? Is that even a real thing?" Well, the answer is yes my friend! FTK is an acronym for "For the Kids" and DM is an acronym for Dance Marathon. Here at USF, Dance Marathon is called Bulls for Kids (BFK). When I was a freshman I did not see the reason for Bulls for Kids besides you stand and dance for 12 hours straight...which if you know me, sounded terrible at the time because me and exercise have never been on good terms. But there is so much more to Bulls for Kids than the dance marathon and some of it may surprise you.
1. Dance Marathon is the nation's biggest philanthropy.
Yep, you heard me. THE. NATION'S. BIGGEST. PHILANTHROPY. Marathons are put on by thousands of high schools and universities across our country and last year also over $62,000,000 was raised. All of the money raised goes towards the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. The Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is a non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children's hospitals. Children's Miracle Network Hospitals are truly amazing and the funds they raise help treat 17 million children a year.
2. Bulls for Kids is not just the marathon, we work and fundraise all year long.
The biggest misconception, which I had at one point as well, is that Bulls for Kids was just the dance marathon and nothing else. This could not be more wrong. Once I joined the BFK executive board I quickly learned that we really are "FTK every DM-day." The executive board and committee members have weekly meetings, table at Bull Market every Wednesday, and fundraise, and fundraise, and oh...did I mention fundraise?
3. Bulls For Kids helps support a local hospital.
Bulls for Kids plays a huge role in helping benefit All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. This makes the cause a little more personal because people we know may have been treated at All Children's, and because it is so close to USF the hospital is easily accessible. This closeness to All Children's Hospital really makes this huge philanthropy seem a lot smaller.
4. The point of the 12-hour marathon is to stand and dance for the kids who cannot.
I get it. Standing for twelve hours is not an ideal thing to do. My bed and Netflix is WAYYYY more comfortable, I guarantee. But there are millions of kids who are sick who would do anything to be able to stand for twelve hours, yet alone five minutes. The marathon, the dancing, the standing, and the fundraising is to celebrate these kids and to give them a voice.
5. You can get involved and really help make a difference.
Last year Bulls for Kids raised a little over $70,000 for the Children's Miracle Network. But this year our goal is #TeamSixFigs. That's right, $100,000. But Bulls for Kids cannot do that alone. They need the help from you and the USF community. The marathon is taking place this year on February 27th, 2016 and you can register as an individual or as a team at the link below. In the famous words of Shia LaBeouf...JUST DO IT!
http://events.dancemarathon.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...
Being apart of Bulls for Kids and knowing I am making a difference in the lives of children all around the country is honestly an amazing and humbling feeling. And I have faith that the USF community can come together to help reach that $100,000 and truly be FTK every DM-Day!
