The UMass For the Kids Dance Marathon raised $282,123.76 for Baystate Children’s Hospital, the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, during its April 13, 2019, event.
Beating Last Year's Numbers
Led by a group of dedicated students and their advisors, University of Massachusetts Associate Director of Student Engagement and Leadership Michael Wiseman and Graduate Advisor to Service Organizations Scott Bocchio, the dance marathon raised almost $70,000 more than last year, adding to the $490,000 raised for Baystate Children’s Hospital through this event in the past four years.
Members from the leadership committee for the 2018 event also came out from across the United States, including those now living in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Tennessee.
Getting students involved
“This event has allowed me the opportunity to see the love, goodness, caring, and concern that college students do have,” shared Wiseman. “For some students, this has been a life-changing experience that they’ll take with them when they leave UMass and go on their next journey.”
More than 1,900 participants registered for the event, which consists of music and dancing for 12-consecutive hours, from 10 am to 10 pm. In attendance were also 23 Miracle Kids, who are patients who have received or are receiving care at Baystate Children’s Hospital.
“Seeing the Miracle Kids and their parents and grandparents really resonates with the students,” said Wiseman. “The family involvement has helped the students make a connection to what they’re doing.”
Learn more about how you can support Baystate Children’s Hospital.