UNC students join together to make a difference in the lives of patients and families of local hospitals in the organization’s largest fundraising event of the year.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – On February 11-12, 2019, Carolina For The Kids (CFTK) hosted its largest fundraising campaign of the year. In 24 hours, the organization raised $41,620 to benefit the patients and families of UNC Children’s. We are incredibly grateful for the support from students, businesses, and local community members who made this possible.

The 24-hour campaign kicked off at the UNC versus UVA Men’s basketball game at 7 p.m. Thanks to Carolina Athletics and the generosity of Tar Heel and Cavalier fans alike, CFTK members started the campaign strong in raising money and awareness for the organization at the Dean Smith Center.

The fun continued Tuesday with student-led sales on campus. Despite rainy and cold weather, morale remained high as CFTK members sold baked goods, stickers, flowers, and more to other Carolina students and employees. Benefits were also held at The Pizza Press, Buns, and IP3 with a percentage of purchases supporting our fundraising total.

All proceeds will directly benefit the patients and families served by UNC and support CFTK’s core programs including:

1. The For the Kids Fund, supplementing costs incurred during hospitalization that insurance does not cover
2. Parent’s Night Out, providing families with a free meal during their hospital stays and visits
3. Carolina For The Kids Grants and Research Grants, improving patient care
4. Pediatric Play Atrium, ensuring patients can enjoy playtime and enjoyment even when in the hospital
   

Specifically, $41,620 can feed 8,324 family members at Parent’s Night Out, provide 832 gas cards for families who must travel for their care at UNC Children’s, fund multiple grants, or cover 2,774 nights at Ronald McDonald house in order for families to be close to their children during their hospital stay. This one day of fundraising will have a lifelong impact for so many families and patients.

“It was amazing to see all the students in our organization join together to make a difference,” Executive Director, Bryant Gilchrist said. “Through everything, their spirits were high and kept the cause at the forefront of fundraising. All their hard work will have a lasting impact on the lives of so many patients and families.”

The 24-hour campaign foreshadows CFTK’s largest event of the year, the UNC Dance Marathon. Dancers have pledged to participate in a 24-hour no sitting, no sleeping Marathon in order to show their support for the patients and families of UNC Children’s. The accomplishment of One Day, along with the entirety of the year’s fundraising, will be celebrated on March 22nd-23rd.

One Cause, One Goal, One Day would not have been possible without the remarkable support of the Carolina community. We are humbled to give back to the warriors of the children’s hospital and will continue fundraising efforts through the end of March and beyond. If you are interested in supporting our organization, visit carolinaftk.org/donate to contribute or learn more about our mission at carolinaftk.org.

About Carolina For The Kids: Carolina For The Kids (CFTK) is a nonprofit organization at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Carolina For The Kids works year-round to raise money to provide major medical, emotional, and financial support for the patients and families served by UNC Children’s.

Through their annual UNC Dance Marathon, a 24-hour no-sleeping, no-sitting fundraising event, Kilometers for The Kids, incredible sponsors and donors, benefit concerts, campus fundraisers, and more, Carolina For The Kids has raised over $6 million since its inception in 1997. To make a contribution to Carolina For The Kids, visit carolinaftk.org/donate.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Each year, Carolina For The Kids (CFTK) kicks off their One Day event, a day in which the organization strives to reach a fundraising goal in 24 hours to benefit the patients and families of UNC Children's. This day serves to not only encourage donations but also raise excitement for the UNC Dance Marathon and spread awareness about the cause. This year, CFTK is asking you to help us reach our goal of raising $60,000 for UNC Children’s in just one day, February 11-12, 2019.

CFTK’s One Day Campaign will kick off on February 11th at 7pm at the UNC versus UVA Men’s Basketball game and conclude at 7pm on February 12th. CFTK members will begin One Day by raising money and awareness at the Dean Dome from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and then head over for a Pizza Press benefit from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. with a 10% of purchases benefiting CFTK. On Tuesday, February 12th, benefits will be spread throughout the day starting at Buns from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and IP3 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. CFTK is beyond grateful for the support from local businesses who are helping us achieve our goal.

All proceeds raised by this campaign will support CFTK’s core programs including:

1. The For the Kids Fund, supplementing costs incurred during hospitalization that insurance does not cover
2. Parent’s Night Out, providing families with a free meal during their hospital stays and visits
3. Carolina For The Kids Grants and Research Grants, improving patient care
4. Pediatric Play Atrium, ensuring patients can enjoy playtime and enjoyment even when in the hospital

Reaching our goal of $60,000 would provide enough funds to feed 12,000 family members, provide 1,200 gas cards for families that must travel for their care at UNC Children’s, fund multiple research grants, or cover 4,000 nights at Ronald McDonald house in order for families to be close to their children during their hospital stay. This one day can have a lifelong impact for so many families and patients.

You can help us reach our goal by donating at carolinaftk.org/donate on February 11th-12th to support each of CFTK’s core programs – any amount helps! The smallest donation can have an enormous impact on the life of a child in UNC Children’s. Even if you are unable to contribute financially, you can help us spread awareness by sharing and interacting with our social media throughout our one day campaign.

“Our One Day Campaign is a wonderful day to kick-off the spring semester,” Executive Director, Bryant Gilchrist said. “After a long break, this campaign gets our dancers, committee members and corporate donors into the spirit of CFTK.” Carolina For The Kids has held a One Day campaign for the past four years, raising close to $40,000 during the campaign last year.

In March, CFTK will celebrate the fundraising efforts from One Day and the rest of the year at UNC’s 21st annual UNC Dance Marathon. Dancers have pledged to participate in either a 12 or 24-hour no sitting, no sleeping marathon in order to show their support for the patients and families of UNC Children’s. One Day is much more than a fundraising effort, it makes a difference in the lives of the patients and families served by UNC Children’s.

One Cause, One Goal, One Day starts 7:00 p.m. on February 11th, and we hope you all will support our endeavors and the kids by donating at carolinaftk.org/donate or learning more about our organization and mission at carolinaftk.org.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina For The Kids Foundation (CFTK), North Carolina’s largest student-run non-profit fundraising organization, is excited to host its 7th annual Kilometers For The Kids (KFTK) race on Sunday, September 23rd at UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus.

The seventh annual event encourages family members of all ages to participate in the one-mile themed Fun Run or 5K to show their support for the patients and families of UNC Children’s. Through a strong partnership with The Office of New Students and Carolina Parent Programs, Carolina For The Kids is so excited that KFTK will continue to be a part of UNC’s 2018 Family Weekend.

“The idea of families helping families is what makes KFTK so special. Students and families come together to show their love and support for a great cause,” says Executive Director, Bryant Gilchrist. “We hope that you will join us at Kilometers For The Kids as we kick off our 21st year!”

Running enthusiasts and CFTK supporters alike are encouraged to walk, run, jog, or even dance their way through UNC’s scenic campus. Beginning and ending at the Old Well, participants will not only tour the campus, but also participate in pre- and post-race activities, hear from our Kid Co-Captains, and enjoy light refreshments.

All proceeds from KFTK will benefit the programs and grants supported by CFTK for UNC Children’s. These include the the For The Kids Fund, which covers costs incurred by families during hospitalization that are not otherwise paid for by insurance, the Parents Night Out fund, the Children’s Play Atrium, and other critical program areas.

In 2017, with the help of our generous donors, dancers, sponsors and runners, KFTK raised over $18,500 for UNC Children’s. We are excited to continue this tradition and hope to reach new heights in 2018 for the kids. We hope that you and your family will come out for a wonderful fun-filled morning for the kids!

The 5K will start at 9 a.m., and the Fun Run will begin at 9:15 a.m. All Fun Run participants will receive a goodie bag and the top three runners in each category of the 5K will receive a prize. Participants are encouraged to sign up by August 30th in order to guarantee a shirt of desired size. For more information and to register for KFTK, please visit: http://www.carolinaftk.org/kilometers-for-the-kids.html.  

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Carolina For The Kids Foundation (CFTK) hosted one of its biggest events of the year, Kilometers For The Kids (KFTK) on Sunday, September 23rd. The event included a one mile fun run as well as a 5K race. A total of 509 runners participated in KFTK all to support the patients and families of UNC Children’s and to run for the kids.

The early morning was energized with music and an assortment of breakfast items to fuel runners before the race. More pre-race activities included families from UNC Children’s sharing testimonies about their experience with CFTK. The race was lively with smiling faces, and CFTK committee members were spread along the course encouraging runners as they ran 3.1 miles throughout the UNC campus and surrounding neighborhoods.

First and second place finishers were Club Cross Country team member Samuel Goldstein and UNC Marathon team member Joe Boyle, respectively. While they each frequently run races in the community, Goldstein “loves the atmosphere here” and Boyle says that “[KFTK] is so much more fun.”

With support from our sponsors, runners and volunteers, KFTK raised over $14,500 for the kids. All the proceeds directly benefit the patients and families of UNC Children’s by providing families with financial assistance for needs that are not covered by medical insurance including meal tickets, gas cards, and crucial bill payments. CFTK also funds programs such as Parent’s Night Out, the Children’s Play Atrium, and Research Grants.
The atmosphere of the event was one of excitement and positivity. “We are so happy with the turnout for Kilometers For The Kids this year,” said CFTK Executive Director, Bryant Gilchrist. “CFTK’s mission really motivates both the runners and the volunteers to spend a beautiful Sunday morning supporting the patients and families.”

After the race, families and children participated in a variety of different activities for kids to make the morning even more memorable. A popular addition to this year’s event was the appearance of the princesses from Moments of Magic, who had a meet and greet for kids who ran in the race. The kids loved taking special pictures with the princesses and designing their own crowns. The new edition to KFTK helped make the race an unforgettable event.
Following the race, many of the race participants stopped by the Frutta Bowls Benefit to refuel their tanks after a long race. The benefit lasted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and CFTK received 10% of all sales. The event was a great way for participants to come together and celebrate after such an exciting morning! CFTK is grateful for Frutta Bowls’ partnership in supporting the patients and families served by UNC Children’s.

Carolina For The Kids would like to thank all their runners, sponsors, and donors for their support of Kilometers For The Kids and helping to make KFTK extra special. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year at the 8th annual Kilometers For The Kids.

​CHAPEL HILL, N.C. –​ Carolina For The Kids is gearing up for their 20th Annual UNC Dance Marathon which begins at 7pm on Friday, March 23rd and ends at 7pm on Saturday, March 24th.
 
Hundreds of UNC students will stand for the 24-hour event held in Fetzer Gym on UNC’s campus. The event is symbolic of the students dedication to the cause and their commitment to service.
 
This year, Carolina For The Kids is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. Carolina For The Kids was founded in 1999 and has raised over $5.2 million dollars for the patients and families of UNC Children’s Hospital. Over the past 20 years, more than 10,000 UNC students have participated in the Marathon.
 
Since 1999, student participation in the Marathon has allowed Carolina For The Kids to serve over 20,000 families at UNC Children’s Hospital. In addition, CFTK has been able to provide over $1,193,146 worth of financial support for families through their flagship grant, the FTK Fund, and serve 25,060 meals at Parent’s Night Out.
 
The theme of the Marathon this year is “Through The Years,” which recognizing CFTK’s growth and accomplishments over the past 20 years.
 
Event highlights for the 2018 UNC Dance Marathon include:
 
Friday March 23, 2018
6:00 p.m. Doors Open
7:00 p.m. Marathon Kickoff
7:45 p.m. Performances Begin
 
Saturday March 24, 2018
1:00 a.m Hooker Fields
6:30 a.m. Kenan Stadium Sunrise Walk
8:00 a.m. Rave
2:00 p.m. Tar Heel Town with kids and families
5:00 p.m. Kid Co-Captain Talent Show
6:00 p.m. Kid Co-Captain Introductions and Family Hour
7:00 p.m. Fundraising Total Reveal
 
If you would like more information, would like to schedule an interview or are interested in attending the 2018 UNC Dance Marathon, please contact Dara Burg at publicity@carolinaftk.org.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. –​ Carolina For The Kids is proud to announce the recipients of the 2017 Carolina For The Kids. The grants help advance programs, services and other Hospital-based initiatives that directly impact care and specific patient-related needs for patients and families of UNC Children’s Hospital, thus helping get patients well faster.

The Carolina For The Kids Grants are unique in that they are short-term, small amount grants, rather than larger grants that take months or even years to obtain. This allows for hospital personnel to be able to alleviate immediate needs that they identify within the hospital.

This year, Carolina For The Kids funded 17 grants worth $70,755. Grants funded include educational waiting room activities, education sessions for parents with children in the NICU, resources for understanding and managing diabetes, food models, art supplies and knee calipers for children with disabilities.

“We’re thrilled to offer this kind of support to the patients and families of UNC Children’s Hospital,” Hannah Dix, Carolina For the Kids executive director, says. “None of this could be done without the help of our incredible dancers, donors and sponsors.”  

Dr. Neal deJong and Lisa Richardson, the recipients of a 2017 Carolina For The Kids Grant, found the need for knee calipers during their pediatric and nutritional work. Without knee calipers, doctors must stretch out disabled patients and measure their body segments in order to obtain their height, which is uncomfortable for the patient and does not provide accurate measurements. Knee calipers help provide more accurate measurements of height and weight for disabled children in order to better determine their nutritional needs.

“Knee calipers will help save children from unnecessary discomfort, pain and suffering,” Dr. deJong says.

“They will help us become more goal-directed when determining nutritional information, rather than relying on trial and error. They are a simple device that could change our nutritional practice for disabled children onwards.”

Carolina For The Kids Grant and Carolina For The Kids Research Grant applications for 2018 will open in Fall of 2017.  For more information about grants, please contact Hannah Dix, Executive Director, at executivedirector@carolinaftk.org.