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.

Carolina For The Kids Announces “50K in 1 Day” Event​

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina For The Kids Foundation will launch its “50K in 1 Day” fundraising event on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017.

All money raised by Carolina FTK beginning Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. until Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 7:00 p.m., will count toward the $50,000 goal benefitting the patients and families of UNC Children’s.

This marks the second year Carolina FTK will attempt to raise $50,000 in 24-hours. In 2016, Carolina FTK raised $49,000.

“Last year we challenged ourselves to raise $50,000 and just barely missed our goal,” said Executive Director Elizabeth Brown. “We believe that with UNC students and the community behind us that we will be able to meet our target this year. $50,000 can help so many patients and families of the UNC Children’s Hospital and that’s what really matters.”
The “50K in 1 Day” event will begin Tuesday night at the UNC men’s basketball game vs. the Pittsburgh Panthers, where guests will be encouraged to donate online as well as to Carolina FTK committee members who will be present at the game. On Feb. 1, Carolina FTK will host various activities, including fundraisers on the UNC-CH campus, social media pushes, canvassing in Chapel Hill neighborhoods and benefits at local businesses, that will all contribute to the goal.

“We are very excited to be working with Carolina Athletics to give sports fans a greater opportunity to support Carolina For The Kids,” Brown said. “If everyone at the basketball game gave $3, we would reach our goal.”

Community members can make donations online at carolinaftk.org/donate.

CAROLINA FTK RAISES OVER $614,000 FOR UNC CHILDREN’S

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The 2016 UNC Dance Marathon raised $614,717 for the patients and 
families of UNC Children’s, the most in UNCDM history. This year’s total also allowed Carolina For The Kids Foundation to break the $5 million mark for its overall total. Since its inception since 1999, CFTK has now raised more than $5.4 million.

The 18th annual Marathon, which took place from April 1­2, was presented by Carolina FTK. CFTK is the largest student­run philanthropic organization in North Carolina and works year-round to benefit the patients and families served by UNC Children’s. 

“Setting a new record for fundraising this year is incredibly exciting ­ that’s a number that reflects the impact we will be able to make for the patients and families at UNC Children’s,” said CFTK Executive Director Meagan Barger. 

“But what this organization has accomplished this year is also so much more than just that number. The interaction at Parents’ Night Out, the schools in the area that became involved in our cause and threw a mini dance marathon, the community and support ­ that’s what I want people to take away from this year.”

The funds raised from this year’s Marathon will support initiatives at the hospital, including the building of an off­site pediatric primary care clinic. Carolina FTK has pledged $2.5 million toward this project, which will provide care to patients from all 100 counties of North Carolina and parts of southern Virginia. A temporary clinic site is already in operation.

“Having such a great year of fundraising will definitely help us in the process of building a new primary care clinic for UNC Children’s” said Barger. “As our largest project, it’s exciting that we are well on our way to making it a reality.”