Markham Place Shuffles Up Over $17,000 for Kids Cancer Research

The kids of put on their dancing shoes and had a ton of fun while raising over $17,000 for the locally-based at last Friday.

The foundation's goal of raising $10,000 was met before the event even began, and donations continue to flow in days after the event.

Leading up to the dance marathon, students gathered donations online to battle for top prizes and help fund children's cancer research.

David Gilday was announced as the big winner. He raised $2,384 and took home an Xbox Kinect for his efforts. Jordin O'Hara gathered $1,800 and will step into Mr. Nolan's shoes and teach gym for a day, and Tessa Listo will rule the school as Principal Morolda for a day for her contribution of $1,776.

At an assembly during the school day prior to the dance, pediatric cancer survivors and Little Silver kids Lilly Daneman (who came up with the idea for the dance marathon) and Jack McLoone spoke to their peers about their experiences with cancer.

You can watch Lilly's speech by clicking on the YouTube clip to the right of this article and read more about the dance marathon .

For more information on the Make Some Noise: Cure Kids Cancer Foundation, please visit their website at www.makenoise4kids.org.