UNC DANCE MARATHON

Welcome to UNC Dance Marathon’s press page! This page makes available all information and resources that are
most frequently requested. For any additional information, please contact us!
Media inquiries should be directed to:
Charnelle Wilson
Media Relations Sub-Chair
[email protected]
Molly Sutherland
Publicity Chair
[email protected]
UNC DANCE MARATHON
MEDIA KIT
MISSION
To unite the University, community and state in fostering emotional and financial support that improves the quality of life
for the patients and families of N.C. Children’s Hospital.
HISTORY
UNC Dance Marathon is a nonprofit organization entirely run by students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
These students remain focused yearlong on its fundraising efforts benefiting the patients and families of N.C. Children’s
Hospital. UNC - DM is the largest student-run fundraiser at the University. UNC - DM was founded in 1998 by Michael Bucy.
The first marathon, held in 1999, raised more than $40,000 and featured 100 dancers. Fundraising totals and the number of
dancers have dramatically increased through the years. The 2012 marathon featured 1,600 dancers and raised $483,210.36.
To date, UNC - DM has raised more than $3.3 million in support of the patients and families of N.C. Children’s Hospital.
Visit http://www.uncmarathon.org/learn to view a timeline about past marathons.
2013 UNC DANCE MARATHON
UNC Dance Marathon is a year-round fundraising effort with events such as
percentage nights at local businesses, football canning, a 5K and Fun Run and a
date auction—just to name a few— which all help raise money to benefit the
patients and families of N.C. Children’s Hospital. Our efforts culiminate in a 24-hour
dance marathon where over 1,600 students pledge to stand on their feet for the
entire marathon to show their support for patients and families and celebrate
UNC - DM’s impact on the community. The 15th annual dance marathon
will feature performances from student groups, testimonials from families of
N.C. Children’s Hospital and reveal the total fundraising amount for the year.
Who:
1,641 student dancers
250 and counting “motivators” and volunteers to boost energy levels
13 committees, with more than 348 student members
Patients and families of N.C. Children’s Hospital
When:
7:30 p.m. Friday, February 15 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 16, 2013
Where:
Fetzer Gym on the UNC - CH campus (intersection of Raleigh Rd and South Rd)
15 years
1641 dancers registered
13 committees
550 banners painted
3513 fundraising letters sent
14 miles of duct tape
2800 glowsticks
30 kid co-captains
3.3 million raised since 1999
1 cause
KEY MOMENTS:
Friday
7:15 p.m.—Marathon Kickoff
Saturday
6:15 a.m.—Kenan Stadium Sunrise Walk
11:30 a.m.—Rave
2:30 p.m.—Tailgate at Hooker Fields
6:00 p.m.—Families Share their Stories
7:15 p.m.—Total Fundraising Reveal
FOLLOW US
www.twitter.com/uncdm
LIKE US
www.facebook.com/uncmarathon
WATCH US
www.youtube.com/uncmarathon
SEE US
www.flickr.com/photos/41998470
@N05/
WHERE THE FUNDS GO: 2012 DIVISIONAL GRANTS
DIVISION OF PEDIATRIC
HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY:
DIVISIONAL OF PEDIATRICS:
This grant funds the salary of a
recreational therapist in the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology division
who provides supportive and
educational services for families.
For children in a full-body spica cast,
regular car seats are ineffective in
transporting the patients home and
only the Britax Hippo car seat is safe.
Six car seats were purchased for the
hospital to lend to families.
DIVISION OF PEDIATRIC
PULMONOLOGY:
DIVISION OF PEDIATRIC GENETICS
AND METABOLISM:
DIVISION OF CLINICAL CARE MANAGEMENT:
Palliative care service emphasizes
symptom management, psychosocial
support and decision-making support
from the Children’s Supportive Care
Team. UNC - DM funding started the
palliative care program in 2011.
With the help of a bilingual social
work coordinator, both English- and
Spanish-speaking families have better lives through easier access to
formulas, closer follow-up care and
access to community resources.
DIVISION OF PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY:
CAMP CAROLINA TRAILS
BRITAX HIPPO CAR SEATS
RECREATION THERAPY
Camp Carolina Trails is a 6-day
overnight camp which provides
diabetes education for adolescents.
UNC - DM funds scholarships for
campers from low-income families.
MEMORY
BOOK
BILINGUAL SOCIAL WORKER
PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE
PERINATAL PALLIATIVE CARE
Perinatal palliative care helps parents
prepare for the future when their infants are diagnosed with life-limiting
conditions. Funds allow three team
members to be trained in patientand family-centered palliative care.
FREEZER CHEST
DIVISON OF NEONATOLOGY, NEWBORN CRITICAL
CARE CENTER & DEPARTMENT OF NUTRITION:
HUMAN MILK FREEZERS
Funding purchased freezers for storage at the
Ronald McDonald House, the hospital and for individual mothers who need financial assistance.
Being able to provide nourishment to their
babies helps mothers feel emotionally connected
to their child and benefits the child’s health.
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
Acting as a home-away-from-home for families
of seriously ill or injured children receiving
treatment at area hospitals, the Ronald McDonald House is a lifeline of hope, providing access
to health care, physical comfort, financial relief
and emotional support to families in crisis.
Learn more about our new and ongoing grants at
http://www.uncmarathon.org/learn-more/where-the-funds-go
WHERE THE FUNDS GO: ONGOING GRANTS
PARENT’S NIGHT OUT
PNO provides families in N.C. Children’s Hospital with a free hot meal
once a week, allowing parents to
leave their rooms and interact with
other parents. If families are unable
to leave their child’s bedside, meals
are delivered to their room.
FOR THE KIDS FUND
Social workers within N.C. Children’s Hospital allocate the funds
to families on an as-needed basis
from conversations and through an
application. Funds allow families to
focus on what really matters - their
child’s health.
HEALTHY STEPS
This program allows Karen Wysocki
to spend time with parents after
the doctor leaves the room. Additionally, UNC - DM volunteers play
Dance Dance Revolution and read
with kids in the waiting room.
The FTK Fund across North Carolina
The For the Kids Fund covers costs not covered by insurance or Medicaid that families may not
otherwise be able to afford along with their child's hospital bills. The fund allows families to focus
on caring for their child instead of worrying about everyday financial burdens.
Number of times
the FTK Fund
was awared
within one year.
0-24
25-49
50-74
75-99
100+
In Wake County, the FTK
Fund was used
In cumberland County, the
FTK Fund was used
That’s 3 Phone Cards,
3 FTK Fund Gift Cards,
31 Walmart Cards,
61 Meal Tickets,
and 148 Gas Cards
That’s 1 FTK Fund Gift Card,
26 Walmart Cards,
61 Meal Tickets,
and 110 Gas Cards
248 times.
198 times.
In Durham County, the
FTK Fund was used
39 times.
That’s 3 FTK Fund Gift Cards,
3 Walmart Cards,
13 Meal Tickets,
and 20 Gas Cards
* For more information about a specific county please contact [email protected].
KID CO-CAPTAINS
Each of the dancer teams at the marathon have a kid co-captain, who serves as a tangible reminder to the dancers of why
they raised their money and are standing for 24 hours. Connected to both UNC Dance Marathon and N.C. Children’s Hospital,
the kid co-captains have a BLAST as they dance and interact with their team throughout the year. They get to come to the
marathon and cheer on their team, participate in team activities, inspire their teammates to keep dancing and have fun!
ASHETON AYOTTE
Asheton is a healthy, athletic and musical 11-year-old girl. After being born four
months premature weighing less than 2 pounds, she experienced first-hand the
commitment and dedication of the doctors and staff at N.C. Children’s Hospital.
Asheton spent the first 15 weeks of her life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
at the hospital hooked up to ventilators, IVs and monitors. Asheton’s Dad, Matt
Ayotte, says his family “owes an un-repayable debt to the amazing people at
N.C. Children’s Hospital.” When she is not representing the hospital and UNC DM as a kid co-captain, Asheton enjoys swimming, playing with her dog, skiing
and jumping on her pogo stick.
JAKE ELLIS
Jake was only 32 weeks and five days old when he was born prematurely
at N.C. Children’s Hospital weighing only 3 pounds, 7 ounces. He had to make
several visits to the hospital because of problems with his breathing. When these
issues began to reoccur, Jake started taking steroids. Today, at five years old, he
no longer has to make late nights visits to the ER. Jake’s dad says that he is a
lucky little guy to have had such a wonderful facility, but more importantly an
incredible team of health care professionals who looked after him. In his fourth
year as a kid co-captain, Jake loves to drink chocolate milk, dance and play
with cars. He is a big fan of Thomas the Train and Spongebob Squarepants.
To meet more of our kid co-captains, visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/uncmarathon.
PRESS INQUIRIES
For all press inquiries and to arrange a visit to the 2013 marathon please contact:
Molly Sutherland, Publicity Chair - [email protected] or call 919.923.2480
Charnelle Wilson, Media Relations Subchair - [email protected] or call 919.600.8179
MEET THE 2013 OVERALL COMMITTEE
UNC Dance Marathon is led entirely by students on the Overall Committee.
The OC is composed of 14 students; 13 committee chairs and an Overall Coordinator.
David Zittrouer
Overall Coordinator
[email protected]
704.609.9021
Christina Sartori
Alumni Relations
[email protected]
919.247.5607
Brian McSorley
Business Management
[email protected]
919.632.2622
Cierra Warren
Campus Fundraising
[email protected]
919.637.1610
Joseph Konerman
Community Events
[email protected]
859.547.7946
Mary Catherine Wilkison
Corporate Marketing
[email protected]
910.603.8866
Nikki Roscoe
Entertainment Chair
[email protected]
919.548.9754
Abby Poeske
Fundraising Projects
[email protected]
978.857.1113
Olivia Smith
Hospital
[email protected]
919.622.7131
Kaitlyn Thomas
Morale and Recruitment
[email protected]
919.356.8472
Liz Goslin
Operations
[email protected]
312.533.1976
Megan Warren
Outreach
[email protected]
919.645.7241
Molly Sutherland
Publicity
[email protected]
919.923.2480
Kelsey Lemieur
Supply and Logistics
[email protected]
336.430.8829