Page 10 - University of Delaware Messenger Vol. 24 no. 2

OUR STUDENTS
By 2016, that number soared to $1.7 million—giving UDance a 10-year fundraising total of more than
$5 million, and making it the fifth largest dance-a-thon in the nation, according to McDonough.
“Over each of the last two years, 6,000 kids came out for the marathon over the course of the day, and that’s pretty incredible,”says Jeff Sowden, BE16, UDance’s co-executive director for 2016.“That’s about a third of the campus.”
“That first year, we danced in Trabant for 12 hours, and at that time there were a little under 300 dancers,” adds Seavey. “I knew it could get this big. I knew once it caught on it had the ability to go this far.’’
Talking to the core executive committee members who miraculously find time to manage the many moving parts of this multimillion-dollar endeavor, the sense of devotion to the cause is clear, and their dedication to sustaining its spirit seems assured. New members are carefully selected for passion and commitment, and the rich talent pool of UD’s campus ensures UDance is continually led by a multiskilled, multidisciplinary team of students—students who incidentally end up gaining valuable career and life tools by tackling the complex and collaborative nature of the club.
For many of the UDance members, making such a difference inevitably means hours upon hours of work—even amid the already crushing pressure of classes. It means weekends devoted to planning UDance’s 14 annual recruitment and promotional events—ranging from movie nights to fun runs to solicitation-letter stuffing parties—and school days interspersed with subcommittee meetings and project-update communications flashed back and
forth via text-message between classes.
“We say for good measure that a UDance director
puts in 10 hours a week,” says Elizabeth Bell, AS17, UDance public relations director.
“That’s a lie,” Sowden adds with a smile.
“We end up putting in 20-25 hours a week,” Bell acknowledges. “And during the month of the marathon, it’s full time.”
But they push on, semester after semester, undeterred by competing demands or impending tests. They know their mission has the power to change lives, to bring some spark of joy to the children they and their student-group allies visit during treatments and include in campus activities—the children UDance and B+ regard as the true “heroes” of it all.
For 12-year-old “B+ Hero” Christian Malmgren, the road to recovery from bone cancer has been eased not only by the financial support of the foundation, but by time spent with members of UD’s Ice Hockey squad and his moment in the spotlight at the UDance marathon this year.
“It really has helped his confidence,” says his mother, Yolanda. “He is so positive, and his self-esteem has increased.”
A naturally shy kid, Christian surprised his family when he took the stage this spring, glow sticks in hand, dancing as the crowd cheered.
“I was so happy to see him having a good time, because when you’re in treatment, you’re not feeling well,” Yolanda says.“With the help of these students, we know we have support and help. We know we’re not alone.” z
—Eric Ruth, AS93
$1.7 Total amount raised by UDance
million in 2016
250
Ponytails donated
to the foundation
“Children with
Hair Loss”+
University of Delaware Messenger
34Greek Chapters participating (including Panhellenic Council, Inter-fraternity
Council, Special Interest Chapters)*
4,220 Greek affiliated students participating*
Dancers*
UDANCE BY THE NUMBERS
1,100 830
8
cheeks swabbed to join the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Registry+
* Denotes: from September, 2015 - March 13, 2016
+Denotes: on the day of the Dance Marathon (UDance), March 13, 2016