Students will get down on the dance floor in the Great Hall Saturday night for the University's third consecutive Dance Marathon, but participants don't have to come knowing the newest dance moves.
Organizers promise that all that is required is endurance, a warm heart and an interest in the welfare of the community.
The 1,001 Nights Dance Marathon, which lasts from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., will raise money for Caring House, a unique facility that provides adult cancer patients with a comfortable and affordable place to stay during outpatient treatment at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center.
"Caring House alleviates a lot of stress that can come with battling one of the most difficult struggles of [cancer patients'] lives," said senior Megan Krajewski, co-chair of publicity and recruitment. "The facility has housed over 5,000 outpatients in the last 10 years, some from as far away as Japan," she said.
The funds from Saturday's event will help subsidize patients who are unable to meet the boarding costs. Although the Caring House offers an attractive alternative to the more expensive hotels that surround the University's hospital, some patients still cannot afford the cost--an issue that often surfaces as patients are simultaneously trying to fund their expensive hospital treatments. But Caring House will accept whatever the patient is able to give.
"The operating budget of Caring House is such that it asks each patient to pay $25 per night. We're hoping that our donations will cover the costs for 1,001 patients," said junior Courtney Kraus, fundraising chair.
Participants will be charged a $10 entry fee to help close the gap between the fundraising goal of $25,025 and the amount already raised by the Dance Marathon board. Dancers will also be asked to address a letter home in hopes that their parents will be persuaded to offer a donation to Caring House.
Though Dance Marathons board members hope to raise a substantial amount of money Saturday, they recognize that they must continue to consider other fundraising sources.
"We've sent home letters to our own families and friends asking for a donation. We've also sent letters to lots of people in the Durham community that are involved with Caring House," said sophomore Elizabeth Siegel, finance chair. Aside from asking for donations, the organization has found more indirect ways to increase their funds.
"We've been selling Dance Marathon shirts on the BC walkway and will sell them inside the Great Hall Saturday," said Siegel.
Not only will the Great Hall be shaking with music and dancing this weekend, but organizers promise a full night of entertainment by student dance groups such as On Tap, Dance Slam and Dance Black; free food; and a raffle that features basketball tickets. Step shows by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., as well as a capella groups such as Lady Blue and the traditional appearance by Duke University Improv will also help keep dancers awake into the wee hours of the morning.
Although the organizers acknowledge that the central location of the Great Hall has helped attendance at the event, as compared to previous years when it was held in the IM Building, they envision an even larger scale production--their dreams extend beyond eight hours in the dining hall.
"Other universities have held dance marathons as long as 24 hours. We'd like to move in that direction too," said Krajewski.
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