In 1997, a student from Raleigh came to UNC-Chapel Hill with the dream of starting a dance marathon. Having witnessed the powerful impact of Pennsylvania State University’s 46-hour dance marathon on the dancers, spectators, patients and families involved with it, Michael Bucy was inspired to fill UNC-CH’s void for a large student-run fundraiser.
The first dance marathon at UNC-CH took place in February 1999, with about 75 dancers raising $40,000 for N.C. Children’s Hospital. It was a small start, but Bucy had a huge vision for the future.
Twenty seven years later, Bucy’s dream has grown into UNC Dance Marathon, which through the years has raised more than $7 million for N.C. Children’s Hospital and now involves about 500 students each year and dozens of community businesses.
With a mission "to unite the University, community and state in fostering emotional and financial support that improves the quality of life for the patients and families of N.C. Children’s Hospital," UNC-DM has stayed true to Bucy’s original vision, even through enormous growth.
"If your child gets ill, the last thing you should have to worry about is the overwhelming financial burden," Bucy said. "You should be able to focus your time and attention on caring for your child."
The first dance marathon at UNC-CH took place in February 1999, with about 75 dancers raising $40,000 for N.C. Children’s Hospital. It was a small start, but Bucy had a huge vision for the future.
Twenty seven years later, Bucy’s dream has grown into UNC Dance Marathon, which through the years has raised more than $7 million for N.C. Children’s Hospital and now involves about 500 students each year and dozens of community businesses.
With a mission "to unite the University, community and state in fostering emotional and financial support that improves the quality of life for the patients and families of N.C. Children’s Hospital," UNC-DM has stayed true to Bucy’s original vision, even through enormous growth.
"If your child gets ill, the last thing you should have to worry about is the overwhelming financial burden," Bucy said. "You should be able to focus your time and attention on caring for your child."
A Walk Through Time:
1997
1998
1999
2000
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2002
2003
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2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
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