UDance student philanthropy raises $1.7 million to battle childhood cancer

2:04 p.m., March 15, 2016--UDance, the University of Delaware’s largest student-run philanthropy, hosted its 10th annual 12-hour dance marathon on Sunday, March 13, with the theme “Pushing Cancer Overboard” and raised a record amount of $1,701,667.81 for the fight against childhood cancer. 

This is a $420,000 increase from the 2015 marathon, making UDance the fifth largest college dance marathon in the country.

Campus Stories

From graduates, faculty

As it neared time for the processional to open the University of Delaware Commencement ceremonies, graduating students and faculty members shared their feelings about what the event means to them.

Doctoral hooding

It was a day of triumph, cheers and collective relief as more than 160 students from 21 nations participated in the University of Delaware's Doctoral Hooding Convocation held Friday morning on The Green.

• Doctoral hooding
• Old Swedes
• Summer SAT, ACT prep
• 'Opus 13' pre-sale

UDance was attended by thousands of people, and supported by approximately, 1,100 dancers, 850 moralers and 300 volunteers. 

These active participants pledged to stand at UDance for all 12 hours of the marathon, and fundraise year round. 

UD Acting President Nancy Targett, U.S. Rep. John Carney and Gov. Jack Markell were in attendance for the event, which opened at 9 a.m. and continued until the fund raising reveal at 9 p.m.

The event supports the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation and 50 B+ Heroes -- children battling cancer -- and their families were honored.

UDance featured live entertainment all day including student singers, dance groups and musicians, in addition to live performances from The Rockets and Speaker City. 

Over 830 students joined the Gift of Life bone marrow registry, and over 250 hair donations were collected to benefit Children With Hair Loss, an organization dedicated to providing wigs for children losing their hair due to illness.

Notable moments from the day included: 

• The B+ Hero Talent Show, where children were able to perform on stage with their respective paired organization at UD; 
• B+ Hero Hour, during which Joe McDonough, president of the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, spoke and presented medals to the Heroes and B+ Hero parents presented testimonials; 
• Sigma Nu fraternity’s video presentation honoring their B+ Hero Leon, who lost his battle with cancer on March 6 at 13 years of age;
• Rave Hour, at which students danced to celebrate a year’s worth of hard work and dedication to the cause; and 
• The final total reveal, where the organization’s executive board shared the final financial total raised throughout the academic year, $1,701,667.81.

All of the proceeds raised will be donated to the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation to help fund critical pediatric cancer research studies and provide support to families battling childhood

cancer. 

“The UDance students raise awareness, money, and they give so much of themselves to the 50 B+ Heroes, who are paired with sororities, fraternities, sports teams, and student groups on campus,” Joe McDonough said. “They are literally saving and changing lives."

UDance representatives thanked the 2016 corporate sponsors and extended the utmost gratitude to the UD community and the greater Delaware community for the continued support and dedication to the cause.

About UDance dance marathon

UDance is a yearlong community effort to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer at the University of Delaware culminating in a 12-hour dance marathon every spring. It is the largest student-run philanthropy on campus and has donated a total of $3.56 million to the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation over the past nine years. 

UDance seeks to provide emotional and financial support to families affected by childhood cancer across the country. 

Video by Ashley Barnas

Photos courtesy of UDance and by Ambre Alexander Payne