Sydney Mason is a member of the 2019 Public Relations Committee
The UNC Dance Marathon has its roots back in 1997, when alumnus Michael Bucy brought the idea to Chapel Hill. He was inspired by Pennsylvania State University’s 46-hour Dance Marathon, and in February of 1999, his dream of a Dance Marathon at UNC became reality, along with about seventy-five students. Together, they raised $40,000 for UNC Children’s.
Since then, the Dance Marathon has grown into a huge, year-long operation that brings together hundreds of students, campus organizations, volunteers and of course, patients, families, doctors, nurses, and more at hospitals around the state. So how did Bucy and a group of seventy-five students turn this tradition into what it is today?
The Marathon has grown each year since its inception. With it, the reach of CFTK also grew. In 2000, the For the Kids Fund was founded. This fund meant that every penny raised goes straight to the hospital. It helps cover what insurance doesn’t, from gas cards to bills to meals.
In 2004, five years after Bucy brought a Dance Marathon to UNC, over five-hundred dancers were surprised with a visit from Roy Williams, and over $170,000 went to the hospital. By 2007, the FTK fund had donated over a million dollars.
In 2010, arguably the best part of the Marathon was invented. Kid co-captains became a part of the now eleven year tradition. They have brought smiles and some awesome talents to the Marathon ever since. Nine kid co-captains were featured in 2010. The next year, there were twenty-four.
The UNC Dance Marathon has its roots back in 1997, when alumnus Michael Bucy brought the idea to Chapel Hill. He was inspired by Pennsylvania State University’s 46-hour Dance Marathon, and in February of 1999, his dream of a Dance Marathon at UNC became reality, along with about seventy-five students. Together, they raised $40,000 for UNC Children’s.
Since then, the Dance Marathon has grown into a huge, year-long operation that brings together hundreds of students, campus organizations, volunteers and of course, patients, families, doctors, nurses, and more at hospitals around the state. So how did Bucy and a group of seventy-five students turn this tradition into what it is today?
The Marathon has grown each year since its inception. With it, the reach of CFTK also grew. In 2000, the For the Kids Fund was founded. This fund meant that every penny raised goes straight to the hospital. It helps cover what insurance doesn’t, from gas cards to bills to meals.
In 2004, five years after Bucy brought a Dance Marathon to UNC, over five-hundred dancers were surprised with a visit from Roy Williams, and over $170,000 went to the hospital. By 2007, the FTK fund had donated over a million dollars.
In 2010, arguably the best part of the Marathon was invented. Kid co-captains became a part of the now eleven year tradition. They have brought smiles and some awesome talents to the Marathon ever since. Nine kid co-captains were featured in 2010. The next year, there were twenty-four.
For all the runners out there, fast forward to 2012. This year featured the first annual Kilometers For The Kids, a 5K, that brings students and community members together to run throughout campus. Since then, it has become an annual tradition.
In 2016, the UNC Dance Marathon passed a huge milestone, achieving their biggest fundraising year to date with over $610,000, and the second year in a row to see an annual total of over half a million dollars.
As of now, the FTK Fund has donated over six million dollars to UNC Children’s. Over the years, thousands and thousands of students have filled Fetzer. So this year, when you’re petting hedgehogs or walking to Kenan for the sunrise or cheering on the kid co-captains, thank Bucy and the other seventy-five students who helped bring Dance Marathon to UNC!
In 2016, the UNC Dance Marathon passed a huge milestone, achieving their biggest fundraising year to date with over $610,000, and the second year in a row to see an annual total of over half a million dollars.
As of now, the FTK Fund has donated over six million dollars to UNC Children’s. Over the years, thousands and thousands of students have filled Fetzer. So this year, when you’re petting hedgehogs or walking to Kenan for the sunrise or cheering on the kid co-captains, thank Bucy and the other seventy-five students who helped bring Dance Marathon to UNC!