By Jennifer Amato
Staff Writer
Lindsay Merkel of East Brunswick and Taylor Mitchell of Old Bridge recently took part in one of the nation’s largest university dance marathon fundraisers.
The University of Delaware students joined the fight against childhood cancer with UDance, the 10th annual 12-hour dance marathon held ion March 13 at the Carpenter Sports Center on the campus in Newark, Delaware.
“I got involved last year through my sorority, Alpha Epsilon Phi. UDance was actually started by a sister of AEPhi who is now our chapter advisor, so it’s really an event that the entire sorority gets excited for and there is a lot of participation throughout the Greek community,” Lindsay said.
One of her very good friends is a survivor of cancer, diagnosed when they were in kindergarten.
“I guess what motivates me to fight childhood cancer is the fact that I feel so lucky that I still have my best friend. And no one should have to lose a best friend or a sibling or a child,” the sophomore said.
Taylor has a similar story. She got involved with UDance her freshman year, and this year as a junior, she served as a representative for her sorority, Gamma Sigma Sigma.
“When I was in elementary school I had a friend who I cheered with who was diagnosed with leukemia. Then, I didn’t know much about cancer other than that it was a bad thing and made you really sick. After starting to pursue my schooling to become a nurse and listening to Joe McDonough (The founder of the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation) I have learned the hard truth that every school day, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer and 49 die a week from it,” Taylor said.
She is determined to do her part by dancing.
“I feel strongly about ending all cancer, but seeing a child go through it, they describe it as they had to grow up and not be able to do things like play outside for a while like a normal child. Childhood cancer doesn’t get much money from the government to find a cure and that saddens me because these children have their whole life ahead of them. I dance today to give these kids a tomorrow.”
That was enough inspiration for more than 2,000 students to arrive at around 8 a.m. and be on their feet dancing for 12 hours starting at 9 a.m.
Students raised a total of $1,701,667.81 for the Wilmington, Delaware-based Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation to fight childhood cancer and provide financial support to the families who have children with diagnoses.
Lindsay personally raised $360, which went toward the total of more than $108,000 that her group of 250 students and alumni donated.
“This was really incredible to be a part of because it is the first time in the history of UDance that any single organization has raised over $100,000,” she said.
Taylor raised $1,347 with the help of her friends, family and canning efforts.
To further the cause, each group is paired up with a “hero,” a young child who is battling cancer.
“Throughout the year leading up to UDance, we have the opportunity to bond with our hero and become another support system. I can speak for AEPhi when I say that we have really developed a special relationship with our hero, Kate. Kate is just one of the reasons why we work so hard all year fundraising and why we dance,” Lindsay said. “The work done through the B+ Foundation is truly incredible in not only helping with the treatment of the disease itself, but really emphasizes the families as well. They help with hospital bills and cover travel expenses, among other things that a family might need when their child is going through treatment. There is such an emotional toll on families as well as patients in these sorts of situations and it’s really just an amazing feeling knowing that by participating in an event like this and raising money, we can help alleviate those burdens.”
Taylor added, “I danced with my fellow Blue Hens (Delaware students) and my sisters of Gamma Sigma Sigma. I also had the opportunity to spend the day with our 3-year-old B+ hero Morgan who is thankfully in remission. She is the reason why I dance. Our hero Morgan got on stage and performed in the Hero Talent Show.
“None of these kids deserve to be going through this and it’s up to us to find a cure. We do this for the kids to give them a tomorrow. The children are called our heroes because they are so brave and strong and should be honored. Our motto says it perfectly: ‘For a smile. For a life. For a cure,'” Taylor said.
Contact Jennifer Amato at jamato@gmnews.com.
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