Bruins dance for cause

UCLA’s annual Dance Marathon has been attracting growing numbers of participants since its inception seven years ago, and this year’s event is expected to be the biggest one yet.

Dance Marathon may be reaching record-highs this year with an estimated turnout of 5,000 participants as compared to 3,000 last year, said Danny Cowan, executive director of Dance Marathon and a fourth-year English student.

Dance Marathon at UCLA is the biggest student-run philanthropy event on the West coast, according to Daily Bruin archives.

“This has been a threshold year,” Cowan said. “It has been uniting members from all over campus from all majors, disciplines and clubs for this one cause.”

Dance Marathon will be taking place at Ackerman Grand Ballroom from 11 a.m. Saturday to 1 p.m. Sunday.

There will be 26 hours of dancing for those who registered as “dancers” in previous months leading up to the event.

In addition to the dancing, there will be a variety of celebrities and performances by DJs and popular bands, maintaining constant entertainment for Dance Marathon participants through the night.

Cowan said that, though the names of actual performers and celebrities can not be disclosed, they are a good reason for the UCLA community to be excited.

There will also be educational presentations to inform people about pediatric HIV and AIDS, a cause UCLA Dance Marathon participants have organized to raise money for since 2002.

This UCLA student-run philanthropic organization has succeeded in raising approximately $1.3 million for its beneficiaries thus far, according to Daily Bruin archives.

The money raised goes specifically to three different organizations with 75 percent to the Elizabeth Glaser foundation, which is dedicated to pediatric aids research.

The remainder is allocated to camps dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and youth impacted by AIDS, Cowan said.

For those who have not registered and would still like to be a part of this year’s Dance Marathon, working a three-hour shift as a “moraler” can be an opportunity to help the cause as well as cheer for the dancers, Cowan said. There is a $25 registration fee at the door.

Dancers themselves are expected to each raise a minimum of $235 for the cause, Cowan added.

The total amount raised this year will be revealed when the dancing comes to a close.

Last year, $385,000 was raised and this year is expected to surpass, Cowan said.

The growing popularity of Dance Marathon at UCLA also makes an impact on the community at large, Cowan said.

“Anyone who comes out of the event feels that they have been a part of something bigger than themselves and are driven to become more involved in this cause,” Cowan added.

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