DTH

On Friday night, loud music and energized voices yelling and laughing could be heard from Fetzer Gym. And the buzz continued for quite a while: until 7 p.m. on Saturday night – just a bit less energized.

The UNC Dance Marathon, the largest Carolina For The Kids fundraising event and cumulative celebration of the year, kicked off Friday night at 7 p.m., with dancers preparing to tackle 24 hours of no sitting and no sleeping.

“It really shows people, ‘Oh wow, this is really hard to stand for 24 hours and not to sleep for 24 hours,” said Public Relations Chairperson Marissa Devine. "But I can’t imagine what it’s like to have to worry about my child and be awake for 24 hours and to not know what they’re going through or not to be able to be in their state." 

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Chapelboro

Your average marathon is no push-over, and even half-marathons are not to be taken lightly. Some runners take months to prepare.

But the Carolina for The Kids Dance Marathon represents a different kind of endurance challenge.

Starting at 7 p.m. on Friday in the Fetzer Gym, hundreds of UNC students will not sit or sleep for 24 hours in support of the families and patients in UNC Children’s Hospital.

Marissa Devine of Carolina for The Kids said the event represents a culmination of year-long efforts for families and patients at UNC Children’s. But Devine also said the marathon represents a small symbolic stand for the challenges those patients face; the long sleepless nights, and the weeks or months of emotional strain.

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