For 19 years, the UDance Dance Marathon has been hosted at the university every spring. This year, the Bob Carpenter Center was transformed into a carnival-themed celebration for the kids.
UDance is a Registered Student Organization (RSO) that fundraises year-round for The B+ Foundation, an organization that supports families of children battling cancer and helps fund cancer research. Each participating RSO “adopts” a B+ Hero – a child who is actively fighting or has fought childhood cancer – creating lasting bonds between college students and the families affected.
B+ Hero Caleb was placed with Alpha Epsilon Pi in 2021, about a year and a half after starting his cancer treatment. While initially nervous about her seven-year-old hanging out with people in fraternities, Caleb’s mother, Naomi Quick, grew to love Alpha Epsilon Pi and now sees them as family.
“He is exceptionally close with a number of brothers, even alumni, who he keeps in touch with, ” Quick said. “They’ll text on his birthday and when they know he’s had checkups, and they’re really thoughtful about reaching out. And so we’ve kept in contact with a number of brothers.”
This year’s event, held on April 6, welcomed thousands of students, B+ Heroes and their families. There was everything from carnival games and face painters to a B+ Hero talent show and an hour-long rave.
“They always try to choose something super creative that’s really gonna highlight our B+ Heroes,” Lauren Dienna, the media engagement and website chair for UDance, said. “And this year we did a carnival theme, experience the extraordinary, and it gives our heroes just such a unique opportunity to have so much fun.”
After months of fundraising and engaging with their B+ Heroes, students across different organizations, from Greek life to varsity sports, join together at the Bob Carpenter Center for the dance marathon.
