A student-led dance marathon raised more than $280,000 in April to support a North Carolina hospital that helps young patients and their families fight life-threatening conditions.
Last year, ElonTHON raised more than $180,000 “for the kids.” This year, the annual 24-hour dance marathon held in April went above and beyond that amount—by more than $100,000—raising a grand total of $280,396.68.
Elon University students who led the event presented their ceremonial fundraising check May 10 to a staff member from Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center, who praised their efforts to raise the spirits of young patients battling serious illnesses.
Before sharing the check, ElonTHON executive committee members Hannah Orth, Conor Janda and Katie Dalton addressed a Phi Beta Kappa Plaza crowd during the final College Coffee of the academic year. “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” said Orth, a senior Leadership Fellow and executive director of ElonTHON. “It really was an Elon community effort and we couldn’t have done it without you.”
Hundreds of students took part in the 24-hour dance marathon held April 8-9 in Alumni Gym. University students first hosted ElonTHON in 2003 and since then have raised many hundreds of thousands of dollars by citing the organization’s motto “For the Kids” as they solicit contributions from family and friends.
As in previous years, Duke Children’s Hospital patients and their families attended the marathon to share stories with dancers.
Keri Christianson, assistant director of special programs at the hospital, complimented and thanked Elon students for organizing and taking part in ElonTHON. The money raised for the hospital will fund patient care, advocacy, research and education programs.