Students aim to raise $25,000 to support the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UC Irvine Douglas Hospital through UCI Care-a-thon, a 12-hour dance marathon starting at noon Friday, April 23, in Crawford Hall. On pace to be one of the university’s largest student-run philanthropic events, UCI Care-a-thon has secured more than $2,500 for its cause, with another $10,000 pledged by individual donors. Under the umbrella of UCI Student Alumni Association, the planning committee also has launched its Web site, www.ucicareathon.org, a tool that empowers students to raise money for the NICU in an interactive, secure environment. The committee projects 500-600 students will participate, and each must raise at least $50 to enter.
UCI Care-a-thon will include bands, deejays, free food, giveaways, celebrity appearances and visits from children who have benefited from neonatal intensive care. In recognition of the battles faced by NICU patients and their families, dancers are expected to stay on their feet for the event’s duration without using any boosters such as sugar, caffeine or energy drinks.
“UCI Care-a-thon is a fantastic example of the caliber of students at UCI,” said Manuel Gómez, M.A. ’78, Ph.D., vice chancellor for student affairs. “These students created this initiative with the goal of raising money to help fight infant mortality. UCI students are creative, compassionate and interested in bettering our community.”
UCI Care-a-thon is part of a larger initiative to promote a culture of philanthropy within the student community. Named UCImpact, the initiative educates students about philanthropic opportunities and finds ways for them to partner with the campus on fundraising priorities. The UCImpact partnership includes student organizations, Student Alumni Association and the UCI Alumni Association.
“UCImpact is a tangible means for our students to educate one another about the importance of private support, and to increase philanthropic activities across campus, such as UCI Care-a-thon,” says Jorge E. Ancona, assistant vice chancellor of alumni relations. “Ultimately, the success of UCImpact is not measured in dollars raised, but in the number of students engaged.”
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