Dance Marathon FTK 2015

"Back in March of my freshman year, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was essentially forced to sign up for something called Dance Marathon, where I was going to have to stand for 24 hours and raise money for a local children's hospital. During that day I had no clue that this organization and event would completely change my college experience. 

Dance Marathon is a student run organization that boasts to be the most philanthropic organization on South Carolina's campus. All the money we raise goes directly to our local Children's Miracle Network Hospital, Palmetto Health Children's Hospital. USCDM has, besides TriDelta, been the most meaningful organization I have been lucky enough to be a part of.  I consider it such a blessing in disguise that I had to participate my freshman year because now as a senior I couldn't imagine my last 4 years without it.  I was lucky enough to serve on the Morale Team for the past 2 years and it has taught me such a great deal about myself. I became so passionate about this group of awesome people because all the money we raise is FOR THE KIDS!!! We are even lucky enough to be able to interact with some of the children that were treated at the Children's Hospital.  

This really makes you realize that you are doing something that is so much bigger than yourself.  It has allowed me to realize that I can make miracles happen, all I have to do is dance.  This year was the best year yet that I've been involved with USCDM because we raised $501,528 FOR THE KIDS! We set our goal to raise “Half a Million in Half the Time.” At the closing ceremonies of the Main Event, we have numbers laid face down across the stage and the executive members of USCDM flip them up and show all the heroes (participants) and anyone that wants to come the amount of money we have raised that year.  

When those numbers flipped this past Saturday and I was overcome with emotion. Even sitting here, writing this post, I still get choked up about how amazing it was to see that 5 at the beginning of the amount. I know I speak for our entire organization when I say that there were countless hours put in to raising this much money.  I couldn’t be more prideful than I have been this past week to be able to say that I’m a part of the USC Dance Marathon team.  I’ve made lifelong, incredible friendships, danced like no one was watching, cried, laughed, and gained a sense of selflessness that I could have never learned in the regular classroom setting here at Carolina. So with that being said, I would strongly encourage anyone that wants to get involved with an incredible organization to look no farther than USCDM. 

Forever to Thee Kids,

 Alex Hall"