Dance marathon to benefit area children and their families
JMU News
MadiTHON, JMU’s 12-hour dance marathon benefiting UVA Children’s Hospital, will take place this Saturday, Feb. 29, at the University Recreation Center.
Although the event has been held at JMU since 2013, “this is the first year we’ve been able to host the event as MadiTHON,” said executive director Kelsey Osborne. “That has really freed us up to make it more of a campus-wide event, open to everyone.” The event has grown into its own organization, recognized by JMU.
Previously, MadiTHON was hosted by the JMU chapter of Phi Mu. The sorority has raised over half a million dollars for UVA Children’s Hospital, a member of the Children’s Miracle Network.
MadiTHON runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in UREC MAC 3. The event will feature JMU dance teams and a cappella groups, a Miracle Tunnel, prizes, games, a photo booth, special guests and more. “Miracle” children from the hospital will be there to share their stories.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals rely on donations and community support to treat kids with afflictions ranging from asthma and broken bones to birth defects and cancer.
MadiTHON is the fastest-growing CMN event in Virginia, Osborne said. Last year, the event netted $120,000 for UVA Children’s Hospital.
The hospital recently received a $300,000 grant for cancer research, led by pediatric oncologist and JMU alumnus Dr. Brian Belyea (’00).
Jack Gordon, a senior accounting major at JMU, underwent treatment at UVA for leukemia when he was 7 years old. “I don’t remember the bad parts as much as the good parts—the doctors and nurses who were there and how well they took care of me,” he said. One of his fondest memories was receiving a go-cart through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Now 22 and cancer-free, Gordon is set to graduate in May. He plans to intern with a public accounting firm this summer before enrolling in graduate school at JMU in the fall.
Gordon’s mother, Anne, is one of the sponsors of MadiTHON. “This year’s event is a wonderful opportunity to make an even bigger impact for area children and their families,” she said.
For more information or to register, visit https://www.jmumadithon.com/.
Can’t make the event? Text “MadiTHON” to 51555 to receive a link to a website where you can donate to the cause.
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