On Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, Lehigh will be hosting its annual Dance Marathon. The Dance Marathon is a 10 hour event that is aimed at raising awareness and funds for programs that are underfunded at our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is one of the leading children’s hospitals in the nation. Their policy, along with other Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, is that no patient will be turned away, regardless of their condition or family’s ability to cover the necessary health care finances. For this reason, it is of utmost importance that their funds be as sufficient as possible to support the large number of children who suffer from a number of diseases. Last year, Lehigh raised over $54,000 for CHOP, and is looking to surpass that goal this year by over $20,000.
Everything that Dance Marathon does is “For The Kids” (FTK). There will even be CHOP patients, otherwise known as Miracle Kids, attending the event and sharing their stories with our community. The courage these kids have both in learning to live with their ailments and in opening themselves up in front of such a large community is truly inspirational.
Dance Marathon has external benefits, such as presenting an image for Greek organizations as well as for the Lehigh community as a whole, but that’s not why you should participate. This event gives hope. This event teaches selflessness. Think about it–you sacrifice one night of going out and getting drunk to dance soberly with your friends for 10 hours of your life, while raising money to help a child who values every passing 10 hours more than you could ever imagine.
There are so many things that we take for granted on a daily basis, myself included, and time is one of them. I guarantee that these 10 hours would otherwise be spent doing more harm than good to your body, so why not dance? I promise that by the end of the night, these children and the cause for which this event is held will motivate and galvanize you. And if I’m wrong, then hey, at least you gave a little to someone who deserves a whole lot more. “One day, we will dance in celebration, until then, we dance for a cure.”
Registration is $15 now and $20 at the door. You can register as an individual or as a team at www.ludm.org/dancers/.
