The mission of The UNC Dance Marathon is to overcome childhood illness by providing major support for the medical, surgical, and emotional care of the parients and families served by North Carolina Children’s Hospital

Volume 6, Issue 1 Summer 2014

UpcomingEventsAug. 23. UNC-DM KickoffPart of UNC’s Week of Welcome, learn how to get involved with Carolina’s largest student organization.

Sept. 2—5. Committee Recruitment Week Join a committee and help UNC-DM behind the scenes all year. Come see us in the Pit all week.

Nov. 3—7. Dancer Recruitment Week Come see us in the Pit all week to sign up to dance!

Nov 22. 5K FTK Join us for our third annual 5K FTK and fun run.

March 20 & 21. The 2015 UNC Dance MarathonMark your calendars and get ready for the 17th marathon.

“You are standing for every child that has ever and will ever walk through those doors at the Children’s Hospital. You are giving them all a voice.”

- Tony Arthur, Kid Co-Captain Parent

In This IssueWelcome To Our 17th Year!Evan Sherwood, 2015 Executive Director, tells us what to expect and look forward to in our 17th year supporting the patients and families of N.C. Children’s Hospital.

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Ronald McDonald HouseThe Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill is expanding thanks in part to a donation from UNC-DM.

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PNO and FTK FundTwo of UNC-DM’s longest standing and most important grants are returning for another year.

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#UNCDMWorldwideUNC-DM is going global! Find out where our dancers have been all summer and learn about your chance to win a bag of DM swag through our social media contest!

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Meet the Executive BoardMeet the 14 UNC-Chapel Hill students who serve on the Executive Board and will lead the 13 committees in planning, organizing and running the 2015 mar athon.

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If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please contact 2015 Publicity Chair Brendan Leonard at publicity@uncdm.org.

Photo by Marissa Techmeier

Follow Us!

Visit Us Online! www.uncmarathon.org

Motivated By Last Year, Excited For What’s To Come: Thoughts From The 2015 Executive Director, Evan Sherwood

FTK Story

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Gas cards were provided to the family of a young teen who was receiving specialized treatment for an eating disorder at N.C. Children’s Hospital. For over 2 years, the family had worked tirelessly to fi nd and access appropriate treatment for their child. They have traveled from over 3 hours away to get to UNC. The patient’s mother is the sole fi nancial provider for the family. She works an overnight shift three times a week for minimum wage as she cannot read or write. The patient’s father is a disabled veteran with combat related mental illness. Due to very limited fi nancial resources and the need to work, it is very diffi cult for the family

to come to the hospital. The patient’s half-sister drives over 90 miles from her house to the parent’s house to pick them up, and then drives them the 3 hours to UNC. Treatment at UNC requires family to be present for family therapy, menu planning, on unit meals, and off unit therapeutic passes. All of this requires time and money. This family was hesitant to ask for fi nancial assistance due to fear that the treatment team would think that they could not provide for their child, although it is clear how much they care for their child. Gas cards from the For the Kids Fund and lodging at the Ronald McDonald House has allowed this

Hey Everyone! What a ride the 2014 UNC Dance Marathon was. We had a phenomenal year! We grew in almost every possible way; we had more 5k runners, more dancers, and more support from the com-munity than ever before. I want take a moment to thank our advocates, donors, dancers, and volunteers. Without each and every one of you $551,595.87 would not have been possible. You all pour in so much time and ener-gy into our organization and have brought us to where we are today. From all of us at UNC-DM, we want to say thank you. Reaching the $500,000 mile-stone for the fi rst time in our history has created quite the excitement heading into the 2015 UNC Dance Marathon. The money we were able to raise has gone to fund the FTK Fund, Parents Night Out, and Healthy Steps in N.C. Children’s Hospital.

We were also excited to be able to announce our commitment to the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill. They provide a “home away from home” for over 2,000 families a year, and we are excited to help them provide 24 new long term suites and an outdoor living space. This expansion will also include the UNC Dance Marathon Community Meeting Room. We are so excited to be able to partner with RMH-Chapel Hill to help the families of patients at N.C. Chil-dren’s Hospital. The 2015 UNC Dance Marathon is already in the works. The Exec-utive Board and their sub-chairs have been hard at work this sum-mer building off the excitement 2014 left us with. We can’t wait to share all that we have been work-ing on with everyone! If you would like to learn more about our organization, such as the programs we fund, the work we do inside N.C. Children’s Hospital, or how you can get involved, please

don’t hesitate to contact us! We would love for you to get involved in any way possible. You can make a difference and we hope you will continue to help us make a differ-ence for the lives of the patients and families of N.C. Children’s Hospital.

For the kids,Evan Sherwood

2015 Executive Director

For more FTK stories, visitwww.uncmarathon.org.

Sherwood during Dancer Recruitment Week 2014. Photo by Renee Montpetit

Make Room for Hope: Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill Expansion Project

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Since opening in 1988, The Ronald McDonald House of Chap-el Hill has supported 36,000 families from all 100 counties.

And while the house serves more than 2,200 families each year, it unfortunately turns away 800 families annually due to lack of space.

However, that issue will soon be remedied by a 24,000 square foot expansion, bringing the House from 29 to 53 total rooms.

This spring, UNC Dance Marathon paid its fi nal third installment of a $250,000 pledge made in 2012 to the expansion project.

Kelsey Lemieur, 2013 Supply and Logistics Chair, now De-velopment Assistant at Ronald McDonald House Chapel Hill, watched the bulldozers offi cially dig in on the long awaited and much needed expansion project in July 2014.

A project that she has seen come full circle, from the origi-nal idea to UNC-DM’s fi nal check.

“It has been really fulfi lling and great to continue the work I did with Dance Marathon,(the organizations) have very similar missions,” Lemieur said.

The project will include 20 long-term stay suites, four short-term stay guest rooms, a com-munal kitchen, a great room, a media room and a dining room, as well as outdoor respite and play spaces.

Lemieur said the expansion will have the space needed to launch a pediatric palliative care pilot program. She said the House will contract out with Hospice and allow families to stay in the new suites as long as they need.

“This is a pilot program—the fi rst of its kind— We’re really excited about it,” Lemieur said.

“Within the next couple of years it will be fully launched and thriving and we can hopeful-ly be a model house.”

Evan Sher-wood, 2015 UNC-DM Exec-utive Director, said he is most looking forward to this aspect of the expan-sion.

“Not many places offer those services so it will be great that Ron-ald McDonald House will be

able to help the families having to deal with end of life care and make that process as smooth as possible,” Sherwood said.

Lemieur said the partnership between The Ronald McDonald House and UNC-DM is a good fi t because the organizations have

similar missions.Sherwood echoed her

sentiments, saying that both organizations care about the families and patients of N.C Children’s Hospital.

“We both want fam-ilies to focus on taking care of their child while we help provide the rest, which can include any-thing from a place to stay

to a hot meal,” Sherwood said. “It is so cool to partner with

someone that has a similar vision because you can accomplish greater things when you work together.”

Publicity Chair Brendan Leonard, UNC-DM Executive Director Evan Sher-wood, RMH Executive Director Shelley Day, Community Outreach Chair Meagan Barger, Operations Chair Logan Hiers and Morale and Recruitment Chair Jean-Luc Rivera at the groundbreaking in April.

Photo courtesy of UNC Dance Marathon

By Haley Waxman, Copy Edit Sub-Chair

"This expansion will enable us to help more than 800 additional families each year. Families whose children's health care is dependent on the support they receive from the House. UNC Dance Marathon's support of the expansion of the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill was the fi rst major commitment we received and it sent a powerful message to all prospective donors that came later." -Shelley Day, Ronald McDonald House of Chapel

Hill Executive Director

Summer Newsletter | 4Sticking to Our Roots: FTK Fund and Parent’s Night Out

Kevin Kelly and Karen Albritton of the Hospital Board of Visitors with mem-bers from the 2014 and 2015 UNC-DM Executive Board.

Photo courtesy of UNC Dance Marathon

Members of the 2014 Executive Board at Parents’ Night Out.Photo by Erin Meyer

UNC Dance Marathon will continue to fund two of the organization’s most long-standing grants, Parent’s Night Out (PNO) and the For the Kids (FTK) Fund, both of which are ex-tremely central to the organization’s mission.

Through PNO, UNC-DM was able to serve 7,234 hot meals to parents at N.C Children’s Hospital, more than ever before.

Evan Sherwood, 2015 Executive Director, said PNO is a great way to go into the hospital and work directly with patients and families.

UNC-DM has continued to support the grant for so long because the value of a free, hot meal is often underestimated during a hospital stay, Sherwood added.

“We think it can be a great comfort to receive a hot meal when you are caught up in making important medical decisions for your child,” Sherwood said.

“We don’t want families worrying about where their next meal is coming from—We can take care of that and let them focus on the important medical decisions.”

Shakeia Burgin, 2015 Hospital Chair, said PNO is a favorite volunteer opportunity for many in the organization.

“I can’t even put into words the gratitude and appreciation we constantly receive from parents,” Burgin said.

“Every week at PNO, seeing those families faces light up, reminds us all why we do what we do.”

By Haley Waxman, Copy Edit Sub-Chair

The For the Kids Fund represents the most core beliefs of UNC-DM as an organization.

The FTK Fund allows families to focus on caring for their child rather than worrying about everyday fi nancial burdens by taking care of costs not cov-ered by Medicaid, which families may not be able to afford in addition to their child’s medical bills.

The FTK Fund was able to supply over $14,000 in meal tickets and $35,000 in gas cards to families in over 50 of North Carolina’s counties last year.

Burgin said she hopes this year to expand the FTK Fund to benefi t children who are admitted to the hospital’s burn center.

“Since they are not located in the children’s hospital, they have never benefi ted from the FTK Fund but I hope we will be able to reach out to them for this year and for the future of the FTK Fund,” she said.

Sherwood said UNC-DM has supported the FTK Fund for so many years because it aligns with the organization’s founding principles.

“We strive to ease the lives of the patients and families of N.C. Children’s Hospital and the FTK Fund accomplishes that through gas cards, meal tickets, and bill payments,” he said.

“We will always stay in touch with our roots be-cause they have made us what we are today.”

#UNCDMWorldwide: Summer Social Media ContestSummer Newsletter | 5

From Boone to Morocco, UNC Dance Marathon is going global! From now until Aug. 16, send us a photo of you or your friends sporting UNC-DM gear and you could win a bag of UNC-DM merchandise. Facebook followers will be able to vote on the top 5 photos. Submit your photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Be sure to tag us and include #UNCDMWorldwide. Go get those cameras snapping!

UNC Dance Marathon@UNCDMUNC Dance Marathon is the largest student-run fundraiser at UNC-Chapel Hill. Our efforts benefi t the patients and families at N.C. Children’s Hospital.Chapel Hill, N.C. - http://www.uncmarathon.org

Following2,855 TWEETS983 FOLLOWING2,374 FOLLOWERS

InteractionsNneka Molokwu @nayyyykuhhFTK and FTCamels in Morocco! #UNCDMWorldwide @UNCDM

6:41 PM - 1 June 14

Haley Waxman @haleywaxHiking in Boone! #UNCDMWorldwide @UNCDM

10:40 PM - 25 May 14Katie Quine @undeniablykatieTaking my love for @uncdm with me today as I hike through Cinque Terre in Italy! #uncdmworldwide

4:45 PM - 21 July 14

Matt Hodgin @MCHodginThe most beautiful view I have ever seen: overlooking Lake Taupo in New Zealand #UNCDMWorldwide #FTK @UNCDM

4:31 AM - 9 July 14

2015 Executive Board ProfilesEvan Sherwood, Executive DirectorHometown: West End, N.C. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: The Nae Nae“Dance Marathon has been a part of me since I stepped foot on this campus almost 3 years ago. This organization has shown me what it means to dedicate yourself to a cause and get others just as excited as you are about something. This organization has introduced me to the most amazing people and has given me some of my best friends. UNC-DM has provided me a place to call home and allowed me to make a tangible difference in lives of others. UNC-DM has taught me what passion means and how a group of people can accomplish anything that they set their minds to.”

Logan Hiers, Operations ChairHometown: Greensboro, NC. Year: Junior Favorite Dance Move: The Wobble

“My favorite UNC-DM memory is without a doubt seeing the total reveal at the 2014 Marathon. It is quite remarkable to think that this organization has reached yet another milestone. The reactions of all the different people at the Marathon says it all; some people screamed, others were in shock, and some even began crying. I believe UNC-DM has the opportunity to do things unprecedented from the past, and I am looking forward to what will come from this year!”

Jean-Luc Rivera, Morale and Recruitment ChairHometown: Robinsville, N.C. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: The Nae Nae“I love being a part of UNC-DM because it’s amazing to be able to see the direct impact that we’re making on the lives of the patients and families of the North Carolina Children’s Hospital. As a member of the Morale and Recruitment committee, I can be crazy and help the kids at the same time, which is why I love my committee so much! Having the ability to spread the excitement and joy of UNC-DM throughout the student body is something special. From dropping it low in the Pit to dancing with Kid Co-Captains on stage at the marathon, I love every single aspect of Morale and I can’t wait to get weird this next year!”

Rachel Daniel, Supply and Logistics ChairHometown: Goldston, N.C. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: Anything Beyonce Has Ever Done“I am in love with UNC Dance Marathon because I believe that for 24 hours every year, magic happens in Fetzer Gym. This organization has given me so much and I want to give something back. It’s every-body’s duty to give the world a reason to dance! I am excited and hopeful about making 2015 UNC Dance Marathon’s biggest year yet! Over the years, structural changes have geared the organization towards expansion and I think that will really start to take shape this year to make UNC-DM bigger and better!”

Beth Hieronymus, Donor Development ChairHometown: Matthews, N.C. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: The Worm“UNC Dance Marathon is a truly unique organization that unites the student body for something more important than the degrees we earn. I’m most excited about pouring my heart into an organization that I care so much about alongside people who share the same passion. I can’t wait to engage other students in this campus-wide cause that gives hope to families. I’m excited to help lead a movement of compassionate individuals who care enough to take a stand to support children and families who deserve our support.”

Meagan Barger, Community Outreach ChairHometown: Matthews, N.C. Year: Junior Favorite Dance Move: Framing The Face

“I do what I do because I am absolutely in love with this organization. It amazes me that a group of students can impact the campus, the N.C. Children’s Hospital, and the community in such a great way. I’m excited to be a part of UNC Dance Marathon as it continues to grow as an organization. We are an organization that is constantly seeking to innovate and take strides forward, and I cannot wait to play an instrumental role in those strides.”

Landon Sherwood, Finance ChairHometown: West End, N.C. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: The Nae Nae

“UNC Dance Marathon is the one organization that always leaves one with a feeling of wanting to do more. It is an organization that inspires college students and community members alike to come to-gether and leave their own mark on their community. We link the community together in order to give families a chance to actually be a family. Ultimately, UNC Dance Marathon embodies the Carolina Way: selflessness, community, and inspiration.”

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Profiles Continued from page 6

Christina Lewis, Corporate Marketing ChairHometown: Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: Anything Drake Does“UNC Dance Marathon was the first organization I became involved with on campus. Since becoming involved with Dance Marathon, I found my purpose. It was through my experiences at the N.C Children’s Hospital that I first learned about how underserved and minority populations can be so adversely affect-ed by the healthcare system. These experiences have made me passionate and adamant about one day practicing medicine with underserved and disadvantaged populations. What Dance Marathon means to me is giving everyone a fair chance at equal, honest, quality care.”

Sonya Kowalczyk, Event Donations ChairHometown: Lambertville, N.J. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: The Wobble“It is hard to put in words the extent to which I have been moved by the strength of the families and patients at N.C. Children’s Hospital. Their constant smiles, appreciation, and love through such incred-ibly difficult and stressful times are truly inspiring and will remain with me throughout my entire life. UNC-DM shows these families that they are not fighting alone and that there is a body 2,000 students strong standing with them. UNC-DM helps to lighten these families’ financial burdens so that they can concentrate on what is truly important: their children. UNC-DM provides unrivaled support and care to these families and patients and this is why I am passionate about UNC-DM.”

Shakeia Burgin, Hospital ChairHometown:Union Mills, N.C. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: Salsa“When I consider what UNC-DM is all about, the kids, I can’t help but to feel inspired. The obstacles we encounter in life often times, pale in comparison to what the kids and families we are helping go through. Even through all of that, those kids and those families never give up. They fight their battles with magic, superhero strength, and wishes on shooting stars. Being a part of Dance Marathon gives us the chance to be a part of that magic, lets us be a sidekick to the superheroes, and puts us on a ray from those shooting stars. Dance Marathon is my family, my inspiration, and my passion.”

Chelsea Krivanek, Fundraising Projects ChairHometown:Mooresville, N.C. Year: Junior Favorite Dance Move: Smang

“I’m passionate about UNC-DM because it gives UNC students the chance to come together and stand for the patients and families of N.C. Children’s Hospital and have a great time while doing it! This year, I’m most excited about seeing us reach more families than ever before, and getting to work side by side with 13 amazing people to make it happen.”

Heather Gunter, Entertainment ChairHometown:Gastonia, N.C. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: Smack The Buttah

“I’m really excited to work with the rest of the Executive Board to make this year with UNC-DM more exciting and cause-centered than ever! As Entertainment chair, I want to provide a fun-filled atmo-sphere that also reminds people of the great work they’re doing for the patients and families served by N.C. Children’s.”

Kari Beasley, Campus Fundraising ChairHometown:Cary, N.C. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: The Dougie

“It is unfair for the patients and families of the N.C. Children’s Hospital to endure their experiences alone. I love that UNC-DM brings joy to these children and families during the hardest time of their life. UNC-DM has changed my life, and I love giving back to this organization. Plus, ‘you aren’t really living until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.’ I’m most excited about planning awesome restaurant percentage nights and bar benefit nights this year!”

Brendan Leonard, Publicity ChairHometown:Danvers, Mass. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: Under the Booty“I stand to give patients in the hospital the chance to be kids. I think childhood is one of the most important times in life, and I want to help as many kids have the best one possible as I can. This year, I’m most looking forward to seeing UNCDM grow to touch even more families after a record-breaking year by any measure. Being on the 2014 Executive Board was one of the greatest things I’ve had the opportunity to do, and I absolutely cannot wait to see what we are able to accomplish this year as an organization as we continue to expand our partnerships with UNC Children’s and the entire Carolina community.”

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