UD dance marathon raises $1.8 million for kids battling cancer

University of Delaware students raised more than $1.8 million to support kids battling cancer through the annual UDance event, held Sunday at the Bob Carpenter Center.

Students danced for 12 hours straight during an event that included a DJ, live performances and a talent show put on by “B+ Heroes,” children with cancer who are teamed up with fraternities, sororities, sports teams and other student groups throughout the year.

“It’s awesome to see 20 and 21-year-olds put their heads together and figure out a way to make a difference,” said Abby Rindfleish, a UD junior who serves as a spokeswoman for UDance. “It’s just really, really inspiring.”

Sunday’s event was the culmination of a year-long fundraising effort that involved more than 7,000 students. They collected money outside local businesses, wrote solicitation letters to family and friends and took part in special events.

“There are so many ways that students can be involved during the year, so it’s exciting to see it all come together today,” Rindfleish said.

Student volunteers spent the past week making a final push for donations, raising more than $320,000 in just one 24-hour period, she said.

“The excitement has been building, especially this past week,” she added.

UDance began in 2007 with just one fraternity and one sorority and has grown into a university-wide, year-long effort to spread awareness and raise money. Over its 18-year run, it has raised nearly $20 million for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, which is named for a Wilmington teen who died from leukemia in 2007. B+ was Andrew’s blood type and inspired his family’s motto, “Be positive.”

“There are so many inspiring stories that come out of the B+ Foundation,” Rindfleish said. “They’re the nation’s largest provider of financial assistance for families with childhood cancer.”