The Pediatric AIDS Coalition raised about $446,160 through this year’s Dance Marathon, a slight increase from last year’s fundraising total.
For the past five years, Dance Marathon participants have raised more than $400,000 each year, with the amounts peaking at $475,400 in 2013. Last year, the event raised $445,000 for charities that aim to fight pediatric AIDS.
This year saw a drop in participants, from 880 dancers last year to about 700. The Dance Marathon committee raised the fundraising goal for each dancer from $250 to $260 so dancers would raise at least $10 per hour. Katie Shannon, director of design for the Pediatric AIDS Coalition and a UCLA alumna, said it takes about $20 to provide medication to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV for one person.
Compiled by Amanda Schallert, Bruin senior staff. Contributing reports by Shreya Maskara, Bruin reporter.