Olivia Welsh is a 2022-2023 Public Relations Committee Member. 

Two years ago, I remember running with my mom on our family’s farm to complete the first-ever virtual Kilometers For The Kids 5K and Fun Run. Due to the pandemic, I was living with my parents, doing school from home along with engaging in extracurricular activities via Zoom. One such activity was Carolina For The Kids, a club that I joined because I had once been a child getting treatment at UNC Children’s Hospital. At that point, I did not understand the scope of all that Carolina For the Kids did for patients and families; I was just running in KFTK because I was a member of the Operations Committee.














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Flash forward two years and I am back at school, still in Carolina For The Kids as the Operations Chair. I now understand the scope of all the CFTK does way more than I did then. When I am not doing homework or working at my job, I am planning out all the logistics of the 2022 Kilometers For The Kids 5K and Fun Run race series which is now hybrid with both an in-person and virtual component. At this point, I have spent about 5 months preparing for the race and now it is right around the corner with the in-person race taking place this Sunday, October 30th, bright and early at 7:30am.



​With the race being a mere three days away, I am more stressed out than ever with all the plans swimming around my head. Despite this, I am also buzzing with excitement and anxious energy at the community impact of this year’s race. Similar to past years, we will have food and beverage from a variety of past community sponsors such as Brandwein’s Bagel Company and new sponsors like Starbucks and Dunkin’. For the first time ever, we are going to have other community businesses set up tables at the event, advertising their services as official sponsors of KFTK 2022. Most of all, though, I am excited to see the turnout of runners, joggers, and walkers as they all come together in support of the patients and their families at UNC Children’s Hospital. By turning out for the event, participants directly support our mission of providing support to patients and their families in order to ensure that kids can simply be kids!

Sign up for KFTK 2022 here:
https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/ChapelHill/CarolinaFortheKidsformerlyUNCDanceMarathon!

To register to be a dancer at Dance Marathon please fill out this form: ​Marathon Dancer Signup

Last week was Dancer Recruitment Week for the 2023 Dance Marathon, and as students strolled, speed-walked, or scootered through The Pit, they were flanked by smiling volunteers waving around colorful posters advertising Carolina for the Kids. All of our committee members donated some time to recruiting participants for the 25th anniversary Dance Marathon. 

The tried-and-true CFTK dancers from years past excitedly came up to scan the QR code and register for this year’s event, rehashing fun stories from previous events. Others approached more timidly – the first-year students anxious to join a club and wondering what CFTK stands for, and the people who want to join in for a good cause but are not quite sure about the whole “dancing” part (no dancing experience is required, we promise). After a little convincing (“No, really, 12 hours goes by faster than you would think!”), QR codes were scanned, free t-shirts were distributed, and the first step towards helping the children and families at UNC Children’s Hospital was taken.

We are so grateful for everyone who helped out with dancer recruitment and for all of the wonderful students who have already signed up to join us on March 25th for 12 hours of games and contests, music and food, friends and CFTK families. Every year, we are amazed and appreciative of this community’s commitment to relieving the financial stress and pressure that families experience with their children’s hospitalization. 

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In case you missed it, here is the Marathon Dancer Signup. Do it for the kids. ​

  On March 26, 2022, we held our first in-person 12 hour (yes, 12 hours of no sitting! Your eyes are not deceiving you,) Dance Marathon since the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, the executive, subchair, committee members, and dancers all stood in solidarity with the pediatric patients and families of UNC Children’s Hospital. ​

  Of course, it wasn’t just standing. The day was filled with countless activities such as dancing, astounding performances from our Morale committee and UNC groups, sunset walk, outdoor carnival, color war between our committees (congratulations to the green team,) and most notably Family Hour where we first-handedly interacted and listened to the impact CFTK has had on the pediatric patients and families of UNC Children’s.

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Trang Dinh is a member of the 2021-2022 Public Relations committee.

This past weekend, February 26, 2022, CFTK hosted the One Day campaign, which was
a big success! In just 24 hours CFTK raised a total of $10,860.77 and are extremely grateful for
the immense support from students, businesses, local community members, donors, and
amazing members. Fundraising included a benefit night at Chipotle and individual efforts. Two
of the committees also had fundraising initiatives: the Entertainment Committee hosted a bake
sale on campus and the Creative Media Committee sold Michael Jordan jersey stickers.


​Pictured: Michael Jordan jersey sticker sold by the Creative Media Committee for fundraising.






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​All proceeds will go to the following:

1. The For the Kids Fund, covering costs of hospitalization that is not covered by insurance.
2. Parents Night Out, providing families with a free meal during their hospital stays and visits.
3. Carolina For The Kids Grants and Research Grants, simply improving care for patients.
4. Pediatric Play Atrium, offering a place where patients can have fun and enjoy during their hospitalization.

One Day would not have been possible without the support of our members and the
Carolina community, and we are so thankful for all the dedication everyone worked towards a
good cause. If you would like to add to our incredible total, visit carolinaftk.org/donate. 

Trang Dinh is a member of the 2021-2022 Public Relations committee.

The UNC Dance Marathon (DM) is such a crucial year-long fundraising effort that CFTK hosts to support the patients and families at UNC Children's Hospitals. From Dancer Recruitment Week (DRW), we recruited a substantial number of dancers and the executive board, sub-chairs, and committee members all worked extremely hard and dedicated their time to raise money and to ensure the success of DM. Since there are a lot of new dancers and members who have never attended DM, we thought it would be a great idea to provide insight from our Public Relations Chair: Madison Gilder, our E-Writing Chair: Madeline Leung, and Public Relations Committee Member: Chloe Yopp. 

For those experiencing the UNC dance marathon for the first time this year, what would you say to them? 

Chloe: Dance Marathon is like nothing else you’ll ever experience. During my freshman year, I was super nervous about the idea of a marathon, but it was such a great way to build a community and feel like a part of something bigger than yourself. If you’re hesitant, just do it! It’s on the UNC bucket list, a great way to meet people and you’re supporting the patients and families of UNC Children’s. And don’t worry— there’s A LOT more to do than just dance! 

Madeline: Make the most of it!! Since COVID has really changed the dance marathon for the last 2 years, we are so lucky to be able to do it in-person this year. With that being said, we should really make the most of the opportunity. Have fun, eat lots of food, and join in for the cause. 

Madison: I would say try to enjoy every moment! Marathon can be hard and tiring to get through since it's so many hours on your feet, but it really pays off to know all of the good you're doing is for the patients and families at UNC Children's.


What is your favorite dance marathon memory?

Chloe: During my first marathon, I had no idea what to expect. I’d heard things about what it was like, and stories from other committee members, but I couldn’t quite picture what it would be like. A few hours in, I was exhausted but having so much fun. It was the middle of the night and they ushered us all outside to Hooker Fields. When we got out there, what else did I see except for Ben and Jerry’s ice cream! It was such a fun moment to have ice cream in the middle of the night and play games on the fields to boost the energy and morale of all the dancers! 

Madeline: N/A 

Madison: My favorite DM memory is family hour. My freshman year, you got to interact with the people we supported and hear their stories and it was heartwarming to see them and how we have helped them personally.


Why should people sign up for dance marathon and what lessons and experiences can be taken from the event? 

Chloe: Dance Marathon is such a unique experience that you can’t recreate. It’s fun, exhausting, energetic, impactful, silly, and heartwarming all at the same time. I think everyone should go through the experience to be a part of a group working towards a bigger cause, and to experience UNC and its campus in a way that’s different from any other time. As far as lessons learned, I think the marathon gave me a deeper appreciation for what the families of children in the hospitals go through. Being able to hear directly from the children and families during the last hour of the marathon really makes it all worth it. If you’re hesitant about participating, I’d urge you to take the plunge because you’ll come out of it with an experience that’s nothing like you’ve ever had before.

Madeline: ​​Because it’s fun and the money is for a good cause! A lot of people get intimidated by the money they must raise, but it’s important to remember how valuable this money is/ the cause it’s going towards AND that you are getting a reward out of it as well! Meals, performances, friends, and fun are all part of the marathon, and it really is a rare and unique experience. Standing for 12 hours symbolizes our honor for the patients, families, and hospital staff that are burdened by physical and emotional troubles every day. As students, we can recognize our privileges and stand for those who don’t have what we do. 

Madison: People should sign up because it's our first one in person in years and an UNC bucket list event! Participants will be able to spend time with friends, meet new people and get involved in the communities both at UNC and in the hospital.


If you could describe dance marathon in one word, what would it be? 

Chloe: Impactful

Madeline: Surprise 

Madison: Inspiring: seeing so many students to come together for one great cause is a great feeling.


Sign up for the 2022 Dance Marathon here!