LOUISVILLE — UofL students took to the dance floor to “Fight Like a Kid” for the 11th annual raiseRED dance marathon, coming out victorious by raising more than a half-million dollars to support pediatric cancer research and patient services.
The 18-hour event is the university’s largest student-run philanthropy and generates money for Norton Children’s Cancer Institute and the UofL Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology.
The dynamic event, which included themed hours, karaoke and sports tournaments, kicked off Friday at 6 p.m. and ended at noon Saturday with the heartwarming reveal of the total amount raised. As students on stage flipped signs showing the total of $516,485.76, the crowd of students, patients and supporters erupted in a massive celebration.
The funds raised from the 2024 dance marathon brought the cumulative total over the event’s history to more than $5 million. Each of the more than 700 participants raise a minimum of $200 per person to participate, with many raising more.
“Every dollar fundraised for raiseRED goes directly to either research for pediatric oncology or to the patients themselves,” Emilia Perez, a UofL student who was diagnosed with lymphoma in high school, said. “Everything we raise is going to benefit someone personally.”
The event kicked off at 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 23, and culminated with the big reveal of total dollars raised at the Community Celebration from 10:30 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Feb. 24.
In between, students kicked up their heels. To keep up their spirits – and help keep their eyes open – several mini-themed events are held during raiseRED. Among them are:
- Buzz for the Cure: A long-standing raiseRED tradition, students pledge to shave their head, or do a major chop, during the dance marathon if they reach their fundraising goal.
- Angel Hour: The people in participants’ lives who have been impacted by cancer and blood disorders are recognized and remembered.
- Mail Call: Letters of support from participants’ loved ones are read to cheer them on.
- Silent Disco: The speaker system goes silent and participants wear headphones to hear and dance to music only they can hear.
Read more about this year’s event.
