Dance Marathon at FSU, Florida State University’s largest student-led organization, will host its 10th annual Florida Statement, a 26.2-hour fundraising event on Nov. 6 and 7. The event invites the FSU campus and local community to raise money for the UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital and FSU’s College of Medicine Pediatric Outreach Programs.
Since its creation in 2015, Florida Statement has become the largest fall fundraising event, significantly contributing to year-long fundraising efforts. This year, Dance Marathon at FSU (DM at FSU) has adopted the slogan “Every Step of the Way,” emphasizing the vital role that specialized pediatric care and research play in improving children’s lives daily.
“This year, DM at FSU is focusing on raising awareness for comprehensive pediatric care and research, highlighting our beneficiaries’ commitment to providing comprehensive care for children at every stage of their medical journey, with a goal of raising $308,800 in 26.2 hours.”
— Eily Jones, marketing and publicity chair for DM at FSU
“We are excited to highlight that this is not only our 10th Florida Statement but our 30th year as an organization,” said Eily Jones, marketing and publicity chair for DM at FSU. “This year, DM at FSU is focusing on raising awareness for comprehensive pediatric care and research, highlighting our beneficiaries’ commitment to providing comprehensive care for children at every stage of their medical journey, with a goal of raising $308,800 in 26.2 hours.”
The $8,800 portion of this goal symbolizes the yearly average number of patients traveling from the Big Bend region to UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, highlighting the extensive travel these families undertake to access specialized care for their children.
“Throughout the last three decades, we have been able to change so many lives of children and their families with the funds we have been honored to raise for our beneficiaries, and we are so excited to make even more miracles happen this year,” Jones said.
The Florida Statement event will begin at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, and end at 11:12 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7. Dance Marathon at FSU has organized activities to engage students and the local community, aiming to increase involvement and raise awareness for the cause.
On Nov. 6, games, crafts and fundraising resources will be available at Landis Green from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Comma Club ceremony will follow at 7:30 p.m. at Langford Green, celebrating participants who have raised over $1,000 this year. Statement Night Live will start at 8 p.m., featuring bingo, a silent disco and miracle balloon painting.
On Nov. 7, the total reveal will take place at noon at Landis Green and will be live-streamed on DM at FSU’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
For more information, visit dmfsu.org.