UCLA has always been known for its commitment to philanthropy, with generations of students finding countless ways to give back to their local and global communities. Today, this tradition of giving back is thriving on campus with Dance Marathon as one of its biggest champions.
Dance Marathon at UCLA is the largest student-run philanthropic event on the West coast, and every year, thousands of students and community members gather for a 26-hour “dance-a-thon” to help raise money and awareness for the fight against pediatric HIV/AIDS. Participants are expected to be up and dancing for the entire 26 hours.
Since its inception in 2002, Dance Marathon has experienced incredible growth as an organization, comprised of nearly 100 committee members. Dance Marathon at UCLA has raised over $1.3 million for its beneficiaries in just a few short years.
Dance Marathon benefits the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, an organization dedicated to HIV/AIDS research and global relief, as well as two nonprofit camps for children infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS, Camp Heartland and Project Kindle. In 2008 alone, 2,500 dancers raised nearly $385,000 for those three beneficiaries.
The Dance Marathon committee starts work in October on a year of educational and fun events including the Marathon itself. Other students can register to dance come early November. Then they will begin to raise money and gear up for the big weekend in February when thousands will hit the dance floor in Ackerman Grand Ballroom.
The number of students who have participated in Dance Marathon ““ either dancing, “moraling” (cheering on friends who are dancing), or volunteering ““ has grown exponentially in the past few years, transforming Dance Marathon into something much more than a weekend charity event: it has become a rite of passage for thousands of UCLA students.
While some may question their ability to stay on their feet for the entirety of the 26 hours, many find strength in knowing that they are joining thousands of their fellow Bruins in a fight much bigger than themselves.
At the event, when participants are not rocking out, enjoying the constant entertainment from incredible bands, activities, DJs, and celebrity appearances, they are exposed to a wide variety of information and education concerning Dance Marathon’s primary cause. Throughout the event, children from the camps, affected by HIV/AIDS, come on stage to encourage the crowd and inspire dancers to stay on their feet.
Dance Marathon epitomizes the reason that many students choose to attend UCLA: to make a difference in our world. This organization unites members of the UCLA, Los Angeles, and the global communities as they join together to raise funds and awareness for one common and vital cause.
Each year at Dance Marathon, thousands of students have the opportunity to put aside individual differences and come together as one Bruin community to take a powerful stand against the HIV/AIDS crisis that faces our world today. For instance, in 2005 alone, 3.1 million people died of HIV/AIDS-related causes. In that year, 40.3 million people worldwide were infected with HIV/AIDS, of which 17.5 million were women and 2.3 million were children under the age of 15.
So, next time you’re out on Bruin Walk, take the time to slow down, take a flier, and chat with a Dance Marathon committee member, easily recognizable by their signature highlighter-colored t-shirts. Dance Marathon has become an important part of the Bruin experience, and now with its eighth year about to begin, the Dance Marathon committee hopes to encourage record numbers of students to dance and leave their mark on UCLA and Dance Marathon history.
For more information about Dance Marathon and how to get involved, please visit www.dancemarathon.ucla.edu.