Matt Robbins
After 24 hours in a gymnasium, approximately 200 participants of N.C. State’s fourth annual Dance Marathon raised more than $10,000 for the N.C. Children’s Hospital.
“I’m tired,” Whitney Ballard, a freshman in zoology, said during the event. “But it’s an amazingly rewarding experience.”
The dancers, entertainers and other participants were treated to free food and music, and got a chance to interact with those affected by childhood sickness who shared stories about their experiences.
Sharon Delaney, a news anchor at NBC 17, kicked off the event at 7 p.m. on Friday, and said this Marathon was much more special than the other two she had previously visited.
“The last two years, I was here as a parent of a healthy child and knew what great things the Children’s Hospital did, but had never stepped foot in the place,” Delaney said.
Macie, Delaney’s daughter, lost her battle with acute myelogenous leukemia this summer at the age of 10 months.
“It’s been very difficult,” Delaney said, adding that “seeing everything that goes on at the hospital is amazing.”
After hearing Delaney’s story, dancers and moralers of the function were told to think of little Macie when they have achy legs and feel like quitting.
Participants played games and danced to music all through the night and into the next morning — never sitting down.
“It takes a lot out of your muscles, and not being able to sit down has been hard,” Kelly Wilburn, a sophomore in English, said. “But I love the fact that we’re helping children.”
The highlight of the 24-hour fundraising event, according to several dancers, was in the 18th hour when patients and families who benefit from the money donated to the Children’s Hospital stopped by Carmichael to commend them on their efforts and to offer encouraging words to tiresome dancers who had been on their feet for so long.
“I’m so impressed and heartened by this,” Emmaline Simpson, a multidisciplinary studies alumna and parent of 16-year-old Rebecca, a cancer survivor, said. “I like to know that this next generation coming through is that caring and willing to give up their time.”
Rebecca, who had acute myelogenous leukemia, said her stay in the Children’s Hospital was difficult, but that she was very appreciative of the staff.
“They are very, very aware of how you’re feeling and what you need,” she said.
Her father, Jeffrey, an alumnus of conservation and wildlife management, said the hardest thing was that he wished he was sick instead of her.
“It came out of left field,” he said.
Jeffrey said it was nice to see it finally publicized that students were helping out the community.
“You don’t hear about all the good stuff. College kids are known for raising hell and drinking beer,” he said. “But you’ve got all these young folks out there who aren’t doing that — at least for two days. It’s a labor of love.”
Two-year-old Mackenzie Sizemore made an appearance at the event, playing with balloons and running around the gymnasium as her father told a big story of courage for such a little girl. Her mother, Kathy, a statistics alumna, said Mackenzie has struggled with breathing and eating because she was nine weeks premature.
“She decided to come early,” Kathy said. “She was born in a different hospital, but within hours was transferred to the Children’s Hospital.”
Kathy said Dance Marathon is “awesome” and likes that the proceeds go to such a “wonderful place.”
Students from various on-campus organizations, such as the Arnold Air Society and Pre-Veterinary Club, volunteered their time to cheer on dancers and help with the activities planned throughout the event, such as “Singled Out” and other ice breakers.
“I participated before during my freshman year,” Anthony Burgess, commander of the Arnold Air Society and junior in political science, said. “I figured this was a great way to support N.C. State.”
Money was raised before the event by dancers and also during the event through “bucket challenges.” The proceeds donated to the Children’s Hospital go toward a variety of things to make families feel more at home during such serious times.
“There is a family dinner they had once a week, which is such a nice thing because you can make connections with other parents,” Delaney said. “Otherwise, you’re stuck in your room the whole time and you don’t meet any people.”
Jeffrey said he thought this year’s event was a success, but has a challenge for NCSU next year.
“Y’all have to do better if you’re going to beat UNC at the whole Dance Marathon thing,” he said. “[NCSU] has more talent, more brains and a better student body. We ought to be able to kick their butts and take names.”