FSU College of Medicine 2018 annual report 2019 Annual Report | Page 51

2
0
1
9
A N N U A L
R E P O R T
49
DANCE MARATHON: THE CHECKS KEEP GROWING
Here’s another measure of how successful Dance
“210,165.21.” Then, at last, “$2,210,165.21.” It took your
Marathon at Florida State University has become: These breath away – especially if you didn’t have much breath left
days, at the end of their annual 40-hour danceathon, it takes after hours and hours of dancing nonstop.
21 people just to hold up the signs that reveal how much
money the dancers have raised.
In 2019, on one side of the dollar amount, it took three
The largest student-run philanthropy on campus is far
more than one weekend of dancing. Organizers work year-
round to raise this money “For the Kids.” About half of
people to hold up signs with “D,” “M” and “at.” On the other it benefits UF Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville,
side of the dollar amount, it took five people to hold up signs which is the closest Children’s Miracle Network hospital.
with “F,” “S,” “U,” “2019” and “!” But, of course, all eyes And Shands Children’s Hospital donates about half of the
were on the numbers in the middle. They’re always revealed total to the FSU College of Medicine to invest in children’s
from right to left to increase the suspense. In 2019, first health initiatives locally.
you saw “.21.” Then, little by little, you saw “165.21” Then
Over the years, the amount coming back to FSU has
totaled more than $6.2 million. Much of it has supported
the College of Medicine’s year-round primary-care clinics
in three Gadsden County schools. But the med school also
disburses some proceeds to other organizations that benefit
Big Bend kids.
“There’s nothing that’s better for a dean than receiving
nice big checks to help support our programs,” Dean
John P. Fogarty said in an interview after the latest check
presentation in September. “What we love the most about
this is it isn’t just FSU programs – these are community-
based programs.”
So far, every year, the checks have gotten bigger. So has
the feeling of gratitude toward these dedicated dancers.