This December, UW-Madison students will use their dancing skills to support two pediatric AIDS organizations.
Any student can participate in UW’s first annual Dance Marathon, which will be held Dec. 7-8 in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Co-chaired by UW juniors Jacqui Howard and Brooke Nunn, the event will raise money for Camp Heartland as well as the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
Both Howard and Dance Marathon public relations committee member Lizzy Krueger said the Dance Marathon will be 18 hours of dancing and nonstop entertainment.
“There will be anything and everything you can imagine,” Howard said.
Local radio station Z104, the UW dance team, several celebrities and a wide variety of entertainers are committed to the event, which will include a Hawaiian hour, techno hour and ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s hours. There will also be a silent auction to help raise money.
“You’re there to be entertained and support a good cause,” Howard said.
Krueger said participating in the Dance Marathon is a great opportunity for UW students to fight against pediatric AIDS.
“This is one of the most important cures that could possibly come along,” Krueger said.
Students do not have to be doing high-impact dance moves the whole time, Howard said.
“You just have to be on your feet,” she said.
Howard said the Dance Marathon will also need volunteers to manage events.
By participating in the Dance Marathon, students will be helping EGPAF and Camp Heartland provide support children with AIDS.
EGPAF, founded by UW graduates Elizabeth Glaser and Susie DeLaurentis in 1988, gives grants to scientists and doctors to do research on pediatric AIDS.
Camp Heartland was founded in 1993 by UW graduate Neil Willenson after a child with AIDS from his hometown could not attend kindergarten.
Camp Heartland, according to Krueger, gives year-round support to children who are affected by AIDS. In the summer, children aged seven to 16 can attend the camp, which is the nation’s largest camping and outreach program for kids with AIDS.
Today and Thursday, students can register for the Dance Marathon or at least sign up to volunteer. Registration is at Gordon Commons and Memorial Union from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m and at Chadbourne Residence Hall from 11 a.m. to 1p.m.
By registering, students agree to participate for the full 18 hours and collect pledges from family and friends to total $170.
“By students raising $170, they are directly getting involved with the fight against AIDS,” Krueger said.
There is a $10 fee to register, and an explanatory letter will be provided to help students get pledges, Howard said. Registration packets and more information can also be requested by emailing [email protected].
