Dance Marathon at UF

Vote for the Pence Family!

dferoleto — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 02:39:18 +0000

Dance Marathon is 14 days away! DM at UF is getting so close and we are so excited for this year’s event. We know it will be our best yet!

In the meantime, fundraising is still going on. We need your help! Please vote for the Pence Family in the Primrose Competition by watching Tyler’s video at http://danceoff.primroseschools.com/Gallery/Individual?videoId=20986111+. You can vote 5 times a day and give Shands Children’s Hospital at UF the chance to win $30,000 for the kids.

Fundraising has been so impressive this far, but these last two weeks are especially crucial for our efforts. For some of these children, Children’s Miracle Network is the only hope that they have for the help they need and we could never begin to understand how much they appreciate all our hard work. Tyler and the rest of the Pence family would really appreciate it, too!

In order to vote, visit the link above and create an account. You will then get an email confirmation. After receiving the email, click the link that will take you back to Tyler’s video website. There, you can log in and vote 5 times a day.

Ask Jessica.

dferoleto — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:28:26 +0000

You may have seen the phrase “Ask Jessica” multiple time on facebook this semester. While you may have been pondering about who exactly is Jessica. We are here to tell you her story.

One year ago, Jessica Hickman’s mother went through a parent’s worst nightmare. An MRI revealed that her 10-year-old daughter Jessica had a massive tumor on her spine, an Aneurysmal Bone Cyst, and would need surgery. Since then, Jessica has endured two major surgeries at Shands Children’s Hospital at UF, both lasting more than seven hours.

The tumor completely destroyed her second vertebra and fractured her first vertebra. During her first surgery, David Pincus, MD, Pediatric Neurosurgery Specialist and Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery, used over 20 pieces of titanium to rebuild Jessica’s spine. After four months of physical therapy, Jessica learned to walk again. Her family thought the worst was over.

At a routine check-up six months later, doctors discovered that Jessica’s tumor had returned and she needed surgery again. During her second surgery, doctors removed two ribs to reach the tumor, which was pressing on her left lung. Unfortunately, Jessica’s health was not improving.

Last month, she found out her tumor was back. Doctor Pincus found remnants of the tumor on the right side of her spine. After determining Jessica was too young to deal with the effects of radiation treatment, her family decided she would undergo surgery once again at Shands Children’s Hospital at UF. Next week, Jessica will endure her third major surgery in less than a year.

Even through such a tremulous year, missing most of sixth grade in the process, Jessica has discovered her love of medicine because of the countless doctors and nurses who have fought to give Jessica the future she deserves.

Put Your Money Where It Matters!

dferoleto — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 21:18:42 +0000

$70 = A Grande latte at Starbucks every day for 2 weeks

$50 = 8 Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich Meals

$70 = 5 Large Pokey Sticks from Gumby’s

$40 = 4 Medium Pizzas from Five Star

$50= 6 Bento Rice Bowls

$60 = 9 Chipotle Chicken Burritos (Don’t act like that’s a lot)

$20 = 4 Jamba Juice Smoothies

TOTAL = $360

It adds up guys! Spring breaks coming up anyways. Put your money where it matters and donate to DM today at www.dm.org.

For all the right reasons.

Dine for DM!

dferoleto — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 20:45:09 +0000

Everyone is sooooo excited about Dine for DM this week! Each day, a different venue is featured as a place you can go grab some food and have your profits go towards Dance Marathon. Please stop by and grab some grub if you can!

Monday: Five Guys, All Day

Tuesday: Planet Smoothie, 5-8pm

Wednesday: Designer Greens, All Day

Thursday: Urban Flats, 5pm-Close

Friday: Crispers, 5:30-8:30pm, Need a coupon!

Yay for food and DM!! FTK!

Spring Dancer Registration!!!!!

dferoleto — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:35:02 +0000

Spring Dancer Registration has opened!!!!! It’s open until Jan. 27!!!!!! www.floridadm.org $35. Last chance to register to dance! ITS FOR THE KIDS!!!!!

Spring Registration is almost here!

dferoleto — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 19:42:14 +0000

It is finally time. It is 2011. Did you make a New Years Resolution to give back to others in need? Here is how you can make a difference. Register online for Dance Marathon 2011 from January 12th until the 27th. All you have to do is register online at http://floridadm.org.

Dance Marathon Bowling Tonight!

dferoleto — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:55:05 +0000

Tonight is the night you’ve all been waiting for! Dance Marathon Bowling has arrived! The event will take place from 6-9pm at AlleyGatorz Bowling Center on Waldo Road. By showing up, you can come get points for your organization so be sure to check in! It will be a lot of fun and provide a great opportunity to meet previous years’ dancers and also new upcoming dancers for 2011 Dance Marathon. The event is one of many for Dance Week this week, and by coming and supporting our organization you are benefitting a wonderful cause. Please come show your support for Dance Marathon! See you tonight!

DANCE WEEK IS HERE!

dferoleto — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 02:35:09 +0000

Dance week is here!

With Dancer Registration open, Dancer week is here! Dancer Week is November 15 -19 in Turlington Plaza. We will be tabling each day for spirit points.

November 15: Cards for Kids in Turlington!

Monday Night: Red Mango Night. Come out to Red Mango on 34th and Archer from 7 to 10 PM and support Dance Marathon! A portion of the proceeds will benefit Children’s Miracle Network at Shands Children’s Hospital.

November 16: Come and sign the “Why We Dance” Banner.

Tuesday Night: Dance Marathon Bowling. Come out and support Dance Marathon at UF from 6-9 PM at Alleygatorz Bowling on waldo road. Ask your organization delegates to register your teams today!

November 17: T-Shirt Check-in for SPIRIT POINTS!

Look for a special surprise by Library West from 11:30 to 12.

November 18: DM Penny Wars

November 19: Last Years Linedance! Stop by Turlington for a quick dance break in between classes as we bring out the moves from last years linedance.

Also, Friday is Dancer Registration Turn-in Day. Drop off your registrations, liability forms and money owed to Reitz Room 238 on November 19th from 9 am to 4 pm.

Help a Child Smile

dferoleto — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 14:34:17 +0000

In the coming weeks before Dance Marathon, people are always very excited about contributing to fundraisers, attending shirt check ins, and doing everything in their power to make sure that DM contributions are as good as they can be. In the Spring, that’s great! But sometimes people forget that Dance Marathon efforts happen all year-round.

Children’s Miracle Network is not just any organization. It is one that is fully committed to changing the lives of children facing hardships and struggles that shouldn’t be present in their youth. By participating in any DM effort, you are helping improve a child’s struggle and giving them a reason to put a smile on their face every day. Even the smallest donation can give a child the biggest reason to smile.

So, get started! Online fundraising is already open and will continue through April so there is no reason why you shouldn’t take advantage of the 151 days until Dance Marathon this year! In the end it is all for the kids, so let’s give them 151 reasons to smile Be sure to become a fan of our Facebook page “Dance Marathon @ UF” and check back regularly for upcoming events and more information on this year’s DM!

Also, remember to keep voting for Pepsi Refresh! The new link is: floridadm.org/pepsi

Why is Pepsi Refresh So Important?

dferoleto — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 02:45:55 +0000

Everyone is spreading awareness about the Pepsi Refresh grant that Dance Marathon is trying to win in order to redo the Pediatric Waiting Area at Shands Children’s Hospital, but has anyone stopped to think about what this really means?

As a child, hearing that a loved one is sick or undergoing surgery is a worry that no child should have to be burdened with. In that time of stress and concern, it would be a wonderful thing for the kids to be given the opportunity to be distracted with not only fun toys, but also educational materials. It can make a horrible experience for a child into one that allows a little bit of a diversion to hopefully brighten a child’s day!

Please continue to vote for Pepsi Refresh through November 23!