By Bev Upton–
More than 600 students will be dancing for 18 hours straight in RaiseRED, U of L’s annual dance marathon. The event will be more than fun; it will raise money for U of L’s pediatric cancer center.
With Kosair Charities and the Trager Family Foundation as this year’s sponsors, RaiseRED hopes to bring in $100,000 in donations.
“We like to say ‘FTK’ or for the kids,” explained RaiseRED marketing director, Cady Gresham. “As a board, we work hard and do the things we do for the kids who can not dance or be a kid because they are battling various diseases.”
Dancers tend to have personal goals of $100, and student participation has doubled since last year’s event.
Freshman Emily Gani met this goal through donations from friends and family. “This project is bigger than anyone could have gotten it on their own,” said Gani. “Not only are we doing a great service within our community, RaiseRED has become a community in itself, and I love it.”
“I hope to exceed my goal if possible because I know how beneficial RaiseRED is to the pediatric cancer center at the U of L Hospital,” said Gina Prosperi, who has been involved for the past three years. “It is so wonderful to see all of campus coming together to make this happen as a team.”
Last year, the event raised $26,000. The total amount raised this year will not be revealed until the event, which will take place from Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. to March 1 at 12 p.m.
Those involved expressed a feeling of community that this event inspires.
“Being on board this year, I realized that Louisville is just one big, small town,” said Gresham. “The amount of support we have gotten from the community with this event has been overwhelming. Everyone has been willing to pitch in and do whatever we need done.”
“RaiseRED means being the change we want to see in the world,” said Gani.
To register to dance or donate, visit their website at Raisered.org.
