UDance Dance Marathon

- 015L, Perkins Student Center, Newark, DE 19711

The **UDance Dance Marathon** stands as one of Delaware’s most impactful and inspiring philanthropic endeavors. This student-run organization at the University of Delaware (UD) is a powerful force in the fight against childhood cancer, uniting the campus and the broader Newark community in a year-long mission. Established in 2007, UDance has grown from a modest effort by two Greek chapters into the nation’s fifth-largest college dance marathon, a testament to the dedication of students and the generous spirit of Delaware residents.

UDance's efforts are singularly focused on benefiting **The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation**, a Wilmington, Delaware-based non-profit named in memory of Andrew McDonough, a 14-year-old student-athlete who succumbed to leukemia. The foundation’s name, B+, is inspired by Andrew's blood type and his message to "Be Positive." Through the fundraising power of UDance, The B+ Foundation is able to provide immediate and crucial financial assistance to families of children with cancer across the nation, helping them manage overwhelming medical and non-medical costs. Crucially, funds also support cutting-edge childhood cancer research, moving us closer to a cure.

The culmination of the year's work is the signature 12-hour Dance Marathon event held annually in the spring. This energetic and emotional event is not merely a dance party; it is a profound celebration of the resilience of the children—known as **B+ Heroes**—and the commitment of the students. Throughout the year, student groups, athletic teams, and residence halls at UD are paired with these B+ Heroes, forging mutually motivational relationships that provide vital emotional support and a sense of community for families navigating challenging times. The year-round efforts, which have raised millions of dollars since inception, make UDance a cornerstone of student life and a beacon of hope for families in Delaware and beyond.

The UDance Dance Marathon is truly a point of interest for the entire Delaware community—a shining example of how organized student leadership and collective passion can drive significant charitable impact. It offers a tangible way for local residents to support life-saving research and direct family aid.

Location and Accessibility

The organizational heart of the **UDance Dance Marathon** is located right on the University of Delaware’s campus in Newark, Delaware, making it centrally placed within the UD community it mobilizes.

The administrative base for the student organization is: 015L, Perkins Student Center, Newark, DE 19711, USA.

The physical presence within the Perkins Student Center underscores its role as a major, officially recognized, and well-supported entity within the University framework. While the Dance Marathon finale is often held at the larger Bob Carpenter Center to accommodate the thousands of participants, the Perkins Student Center location serves as the year-round hub for planning, committee meetings, and coordination of the extensive fundraising and awareness campaigns.

The organization is committed to being accessible and inclusive for all who wish to be involved or attend its events. A key feature related to accessibility includes:

• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: This feature ensures that the organizational and event spaces are easily accessed by participants, families, and community members with mobility needs, fully supporting the involvement of the B+ Heroes and their families.

Its location in Newark means that this crucial non-profit is easily reached by families throughout New Castle County and the entire Delaware region, cementing its status as a local leader in philanthropy.

Services Offered (as a Non-Profit Organization)

As a student-run, non-profit organization, UDance Dance Marathon provides a variety of services, all directed toward its ultimate mission: fighting childhood cancer.

• Direct Financial Aid Facilitation: Raising and channeling millions of dollars to The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation for direct distribution to families nationwide to cover non-medical costs (rent, utilities, food) during treatment.
• Childhood Cancer Research Funding: Providing substantial grants to fund cutting-edge research projects dedicated to finding cures and advancing treatments for pediatric cancers.
• Emotional Support and Hero Pairing: Connecting student groups (Greek life, athletic teams, clubs) with **B+ Heroes**—children and teens affected by cancer—to provide consistent emotional support, mentorship, and friendship throughout the year.
• Community Awareness Campaigns: Hosting year-round events, drives, and social media pushes to raise public consciousness in Delaware about the severity and impact of childhood cancer.
• Large-Scale Event Management: Planning and executing the annual 12-hour Dance Marathon, which involves managing thousands of participants, performers, and logistics to create a safe and memorable celebratory event.
• Fundraising Education and Mobilization: Providing students with resources (templates, training, events like 'canning') to effectively raise funds, fostering practical skills in philanthropy and non-profit management.
• Advocacy: Promoting the B+ Foundation's mission to advocate for increased government funding and awareness for pediatric cancer research.

Features / Highlights

The distinguishing characteristics of UDance Dance Marathon elevate it beyond a typical campus club, establishing it as a significant force for good in the Delaware Valley.

• Historic Fundraising Impact: As the fifth-largest collegiate Dance Marathon in the nation, UDance has raised millions of dollars since its inception, demonstrating extraordinary sustained dedication and financial power.
• Focus on Local Beneficiary: Its sole beneficiary, The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, is a Wilmington, Delaware-based charity, ensuring that the organization has deep roots and immediate relevance within the local Delaware community.
• Deep Personal Connection: The program's core feature of pairing student organizations with B+ Heroes creates genuinely meaningful and long-lasting friendships, providing crucial emotional support to the children and their families.
• Mass Student Engagement: Annually involves thousands of University of Delaware students across more than a hundred campus organizations, making it a truly university-wide tradition and a powerful collective effort.
• Commitment to Inclusivity: The accessible location and provision of a **Wheelchair accessible parking lot** at their main center demonstrate a commitment to ensuring all members of the community, especially their B+ Heroes, can participate fully.
• Year-Round Activism: The effort is not confined to one day; it involves a continuous calendar of fundraising events, awareness drives, and hero hangouts, sustaining momentum and commitment throughout the academic year.

Contact Information

For more information on getting involved, corporate sponsorship, or supporting the cause, Delaware residents can reach the UDance Dance Marathon organization:

Address: 015L, Perkins Student Center, Newark, DE 19711, USA

Specific phone and general contact emails for the student executive board are typically managed through the University of Delaware's official channels, but the organization can be reached through the following common contact methods as listed in public data:

General Public Contact: (Contact information is generally coordinated through the University’s Student Central or the B+ Foundation’s local presence for external inquiries.)

What is Worth Choosing UDance Dance Marathon

For Delaware residents and University of Delaware alumni looking to make a meaningful charitable contribution, supporting **UDance Dance Marathon** is an investment in both local community resilience and global research for a cure. It is worth choosing because of the organization’s proven ability to turn passion into enormous impact.

Unlike many large philanthropies, UDance provides a direct, traceable impact via its relationship with the Wilmington-based B+ Foundation, ensuring that donor dollars are effectively split between providing essential, immediate financial relief to families and funding critical research. Furthermore, participation in UDance—whether as a student, a local business sponsor, or a donor—contributes to a positive, energetic, and enduring tradition that fosters leadership skills in young Delawareans. By choosing to support this **non-profit organization**, you are not just donating money; you are joining a campus-wide movement that offers hope, friendship, and practical support to children and families in their fight against childhood cancer, making a profound difference right here in the First State. It is the definition of "For The Kids."

UDance Dance Marathon

015L, Perkins Student Center, Newark, DE 19711, USA