Transylvania University students are hitting the dance floor March 22 to help kids with cancer.
The Transy Dance Marathon from 5-10 p.m. will raise money for the DanceBlue Pediatric Hematology & Oncology Clinic. While the Pre-Health Club is spearheading the event, numerous student organizations are pitching in.
“We’re really trying to connect with as many people across campus as we can,” Pre-Health Adviser Robin Prichard said. “The dancing is fun, but the cause is amazing.”
The event is a mini version of the University of Kentucky’s DanceBlue 24-hour marathon. Transylvania is one of 40 schools across the state — and the first college — hosting a shorter version of the fundraiser.
Pre-Health Club President Madi Davis also helped start one of these events at her high school before she came to Transylvania. “I got to watch firsthand everyone come together for a common cause, and it was such a great feeling in the end,” she said.
As for the Transy Dance Marathon, Davis sees it as an “amazing opportunity” to unite her campus in a common goal.
She was part of a contingent of Transylvania students who toured the pediatric clinic to get a feel for the impact they’ll have on the patients they’re dancing for.
“It was one of the most inspiring tours I have been on, hearing the stories of the children who have been treated there and the perspective from the volunteers and doctors,” Davis said. “It is great to see that this clinic is changing lives, and it was extremely heartwarming just to see the clinic itself.”
A highlight of the tour was seeing a wall of photos featuring children who were treated there and then went on to lead full lives. “I immediately got goosebumps and was so excited and grateful to bring this to Transy,” Davis added.
This enthusiasm has caught on among her fellow Pioneers, who have coordinated with local restaurants for fundraisers and organized events like the Phi Delta Epsilon medical fraternity’s recent Trivia Night.
Money is also being raised through the $25 dancer fees, T-shirt sales and online: donate to the cause here.
The event, which is in the Campus Center Pioneer Rooms, will include 10-minute dances each hour, accompanied by fun videos on large screens. Leaders from UK’s DanceBlue will teach line dancing to participants, who’ll also enjoy games and other programming.
Prichard sees it as a chance for students to get involved in an activity related to their future health care career — one that goes beyond the classroom and lab. “They need to see the difference they’re going to make in the world,” she said.