Marymount Plans Dance Marathon for Local Charity

Marymount University’s Residence Life staff recently hosted the kickoff to their Dance Marathon campaign that will benefit the Children’s National Medical Center.  Participants will be encouraged to raise as much money as possible for the hospital, which treats any child regardless of financial circumstances.

The kickoff event was a presentation by members of the staff at the medical center discussing the impact of the center, as well as telling some of the stories of the children.  One special guest in attendance was Jessica Gregory, 12, who was a former patient at Children’s National Medical Center.  Jessica and her mother Sheila Gregory, shared the story of her life, from being born four weeks premature with a hole in her spine, to having a traumatic auto accident, and how the Children’s Hospital has been there for her every step of the way.

The center’s mission is, “they don’t just treat the child, they treat the whole family.”  For over 140 years, they have provided advanced pediatric care to any child, with any injury or condition, in any situation.  Each year the center cares for more than 360,000 children, providing more than $50 million in uncompensated care.  According to Sheila, “They seek to provide the best quality of life for each child and family that comes in.”

Thanks to the care provided to her by the center, Jessica is now leading a healthy and normal life.  The Children’s Miracle Network reached out to her several years ago to get her to share her story as an advocate for the center’s good work. 

“I love Children’s Hospital,” Jessica said.  “It means a lot be an ambassador for them.  They’ve done so much for me, and now I get to help them.”

The idea for the Dance Marathon was proposed by Residence Hall Director Matthew Mustard, and has been embraced by the Residence Life staff. 

“This is an incredible facility,” Mustard said of the medical center.  “All of the care that they provide can be made possible by events like dance marathons.”

The Marymount Dance Marathon is planned for Saturday, April 9 from 3 - 9 p.m. in the Verizon Gym on campus.  Participants will be asked to raise as much money as possible, with a goal of $100 in mind, but any amount will help.  An additional $15 registration fee will cover both the overhead of the event as well as a commemorative T-shirt.   Spare change jugs will be located around campus throughout the semester to take any smaller donations that people may have.

“The premise behind the event is that you dance for those that can’t,” Mustard explained.  “You’re celebrating your abilities that others may not have.”

Every hour over the course of the marathon, dancers will be taught a part of a dance that they will later do as a group.  This dance is called the “Morale Dance,” and is a fun line-dance that combines many different dance styles.

“We are hoping this is going to become a tradition in coming years the community looks forward to,” said Arlene Tonoff, Resident Assistant.  “I know at schools like Penn State and Maryland it’s a huge weekend-long event and the community gets really involved.”

Donations of food, water, and music for the event are more than welcome.  For more information on donations and registration, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/#!/MarymountDanceMarathon or the official Web page at www.helpmakemiracles.org/event/Marymount.