A 12-hour dance marathon held on Sunday, April, 12 — the culminating event of the UDance organization — raised more than $1.7 million for young cancer patients and their families.

20 things to know about UDance

Article by Diane Stopyra Photos by Evan Krape and courtesy of UDance, James Kaden, Carlie Gallagher, Will Ryan and Samantha Konspore April 14, 2026

UD’s largest student-run philanthropy is celebrating 20 years — and it’s never skipped a beat

In the immortal words of Canadian pop band Men Without Hats: We can dance if we want to. And at the University of Delaware, we really, really want to.

On Sunday, April 12, more than 4,700 people descended on the Bob Carpenter Center for a pulsing and purpose-driven dance marathon. A culminating event for UDance, the largest student-run philanthropic effort on campus, this kinetic celebration raised $1,724,679.30 for pediatric cancer patients and their families.

And it wasn’t a one-off. Blue Hens have spent two decades turning UDance into a campus phenomenon. In honor of the organization’s 20th year, here are 20 things to know about a barnstorming mission that never never skips a beat.

1. From humble beginnings: UD’s inaugural dance marathon took place in Trabant in 2007. The brainchild of Jessica Forman Seavey, Class of 2007, it drew fewer than 300 participants — organizers pulled dividers from the multipurpose room to make the space look more full — and raised $8,000 for pediatric cancer patients. Students committed to growing the organization from the ground up.

2. A positive partnership: Beginning in 2009, Blue Hens joined forces with the Wilmington-based B+ (“Be positive”) Foundation. Founded by alumnus Joe McDonough, Class of 1983, the nonprofit honors the life of his late son Andrew McDonough, who died from leukemia at the age of 14. With UDance support, the organization has become the largest provider of financial assistance to families of children with cancer in the country.

3. Mob with a mission: Today, more than 8,000 students (more than 40% of the undergraduate population) participate in UDance programming annually.

A 12-hour dance marathon held on Sunday, April, 12 — the culminating event of the UDance organization — raised more than $1.7 million for young cancer patients and their families.

4. Show me the money: The organization has raised more than $23 million(!) for the cause to date. The record year came in 2019, with more than $2.2 million raised.

5. Show me the support: UDance has provided financial assistance to more than 20,000 families — and counting. Blue Hen funds help caregivers keep the lights on, cover rent, pay for groceries and access transportation to various treatment centers.

6. In good company: In terms of money raised, UDance ranks third among the largest dance marathons in the nation, joining the ranks of Penn State THON and Indiana University Dance Marathon.

7. Energy on overdrive: Yes, dancers stay on their feet all 12 hours … no chairs allowed. Morale captains are the hype machines tasked with keeping vibes — and bodies — up. The event also includes live entertainment, including a talent show featuring guests of honor: children who are battling cancer.

Samantha Konspore, a cheerleading supervisor with the New England Patriots, still stays in touch with the 13-year-old B+ Hero she met through UDance.

8. A full calendar: While the dance marathon receives the most air time, UDance is a year-round effort, complete with 27 promotional and fundraising events annually, from 5Ks to dance classes to telethons.

9. You’ve got a friend in me: Over the course of its history, UDance members have mentored 105 B+ heroes, children who’ve either battled or are currently battling cancer. Each child is “adopted” by a student organization, Greek life chapter or athletics team, and these groups facilitate special experiences throughout the year, from barbecues to haunted houses. During a recent game, all members of the UD men’s ice hockey team wore the name of their 2026 mentee on their jerseys.

Inspired by a nurse he bonded with while battling cancer as a child, Zack Turner studied nursing at UD.

10. Forging unlikely bonds: David Fu, Zack Turner and Colby Atkinson (all Class of 2021) each battled leukemia as children — before becoming Blue Hen roommates and joining the UDance mission. As a kid, Turner was selected as a B+ Hero and matched with one of the University’s largest fraternities. Later, as an undergraduate, he paid forward that support by helping reestablish UD’s Pi Kappa Alpha chapter, which has raised money for UDance, hosted 5K runs for breast cancer awareness and provided specialty bikes for people with disabilities.

11. Pandemic-shandemic: Even the Covid years couldn’t stop the UDance crew. In 2020, with the main event canceled just 10 days before kickoff, Blue Hens didn’t give up. Motivated by the resiliency of the B+ Heroes they support, they doubled down on safe fundraising efforts (social media initiatives, street canning) and, in the end, they managed to raise $1.7 million. The following year, with much of the marathon happening virtually, they brought in another $1.5 million.

12. Career catalyst: For many UDance veterans, this is the experience that clarified a path, inspiring them to pursue roles in medicine, social work or the nonprofit arena. Five Blue Hens now work for the B+ Foundation, including Carlie Gallagher, a senior program manager who advises universities on establishing their own versions of UDance. “Blue Hens are really hard working and really determined to help others,” she said. “UDance shows them how much of a difference they can make.”

After her time with UDance, Carlie Gallagher found a career fighting for young cancer patients and their families.

13. Providing an outlet: For some members of the organization, UDance is about channeling personal struggle into purpose. Consider Mackenzie Wilson, a senior elementary education major who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 8. During a six-month stint in the hospital, she received support from the B+ Foundation. Now, she’s paying that support forward as a production chair on the UDance executive board: “Yes, cancer is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me,” she said. “But it’s brought so many beautiful things and people into my world through UDance. I could never imagine my life without it.”

14. A lifelong mission: About 100 alumni come back to UD annually to dance, and many continue fighting for the cause long after graduation. Take Will Ryan, Class of 2025, a former UDance co-executive director. He’s run the New York City Marathon for the B+ Foundation twice (last time, he clocked in at 4:03), and he raised $9,000 in the process. When the course feels grueling, he remembers his motivation: “If there are kids going through chemotherapy and fighting for their lives every day, I can probably push through a few more miles.” Next up: A Spartan race.

Prior to his most recent marathon, Will Ryan raised money for pediatric cancer patients by organizing March Madness pools and Masters golf pools — creative strategies he learned as a member of UDance.

15. Faculty on board: James Kaden, instructor in UD’s Lerner College, has seen UDance from every angle. As a local youth baseball coach, he had a B+ Hero on his team. Then, as director of UD’s ice rink, he worked with B+ Heroes who paired with Blue Hen hockey players. Finally, when Kaden’s own son was diagnosed with leukemia in high school, the B+ Foundation came to his family’s aid, providing money for necessities not covered by insurance. Today, that son, Brett, is thriving; he’s a senior at UD and a member of the UDance executive board. And the entire Kaden crew participates in UDance programming throughout the year: “With this organization,” James said, “you join an extended family.”

16. Cool kicks: Samantha Konspore graduated in 2022, but she still describes UDance as “my heart and soul.” Now a cheerleading supervisor with the New England Patriots, she was selected last season for the NFL’s My Cause, My Cleats initiative. During a Monday night game against the Giants, she sported custom Nike Air Force 1s on the field, spotlighting the B+ Foundation and raising awareness for the cause.

James Kaden, a UD instructor, stands with his wife, Jen, and their son, Brett, a cancer survivor and member of UDance’s executive board. Last weekend marked more than a decade that the family’s been attending the University’s annual dance marathon.

17: Leadership in action: The UDance executive board comprises dozens of students, and they each devote approximately 30 hours per week to the cause — but they’re getting just as much from their efforts as they’re giving. “Having an opportunity to work with all these kids has solidified my passion for being a supportive force in children’s lives,” said Lauren Dienna, an English education major and UDance co-executive director. “I am so grateful to be involved.”

18. Small swab, big impact: At UDance events, students can join national bone marrow registries with a simple cheek swab, adding themselves to a pool of potential lifesavers for patients with blood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Over the years, Blue Hens have added thousands of potential donors to the registry, turning signatures into second chances.

19. Community involvement: UDance work is supported by 11 sponsors, from local businesses to corporate partners, providing a vital bridge between campus and the wider region.

20: It’s all heart: UDance is a labor of love, emphasis on the love — and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. “More funds raised, more people in attendance… the goal is to keep growing,” said senior Alexis Hollinger, UDance’s media engagement and website chair, adding: “It’s incredible being part of something so much bigger than ourselves.”

Mackenzie Wilson, a survivor of childhood cancer and member of the UDance executive board, posed for a photo just before welcoming guests to Sunday’s dance marathon.