Statement Recap

Every year Dance Marathon at FSU seeks to make their Statement. Florida Statement is a day where awareness of our cause is brought to the forefront of our campus and our community. This year on November 13th, FSU wanted to make the 25th year of Dance Marathon unforgettable with a goal to raise $400,000 in 26.2 hours. This number symbolizes funding the Child Life Program at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital for a full year.

Starting at 9 A.M. Wednesday morning, until 11:12 AM on Thursday, Florida Statement hosted two days full of activities on Landis Green. All day, participants could hit the gong for every $100 they raised, exclusive merchandise was sold, flash mobs took over Landis, and challenge cards were filled. A huge part of fundraising during Statement was canning, where students were all over campus raising awareness and funds for our cause.

Outside of canning and on campus challenges, fundraising occurred in many other ways online. From Venmo templates, to emails, texts, calls, and Facebook posts, there were tons of creative ways to fundraise and bring DM at FSU closer to their goal!

Joey Rodriguez on the Sigma Phi Epsilon team stated that “The best way to raise money is to not be afraid to reach out to everyone, even if you don’t think they would donate, because you never know how this cause could hit personally to them.”

As the sun began to set, the day was still going strong as DM after Dark was about to begin. DM after Dark featured the Circle of Hope and Comma Club Ceremony with our miracle families, and was followed by a Silent Disco event. This was a time for everyone to come together and celebrate the first half of the 26.2 hour journey! Sara Kissane from the Pi Beta Phi team found that Statement and these activities made her “excited for the Marathon and that everyone was getting closer to reaching their goals.”

For day two of Florida Statement, the excitement was high. At noon, internal and external participants gathered outside Landis Hall for the Florida Statement’s Total Reveal. Before the final number was unveiled, Dr. Amy Hecht, the Vice President of Student Affairs at FSU, who has first hand experience with the Child Life Program at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, spoke to the importance of the program, and the positive effect it has on families.

Finally, it was revealed that throughout Florida Statement 2019, Dance Marathon at FSU raised $414,594.36. This means that they did not only surpass their goal, but all expectations of what they could achieve in these 26.2 hours. Dance Marathon cannot wait to continue these incredible momentum into the rest of the year, and into their March Marathon celebrating 25 years of miracle making!