Fifth annual Raiderthon raising funds for Dayton Children’s Hospital

The fifth annual Raiderthon, a 15-hour dance marathon, takes place from 10 a.m. on Nov. 18 to 1 a.m. on Nov. 19 in the Student Union Apollo Room.

Wright State students can let loose, dance for hours, have fun, make new friends and watch great entertainment, all for a good cause.

The fifth annual Raiderthon, a 15-hour dance marathon, will raise money for Dayton Children’s Hospital.

Raiderthon begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18, and lasts until 1 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 19, in the Student Union Apollo Room.

You can register for the dance marathon at support.daytonchildrens.org.

Raiderthon is also looking for volunteers, a great opportunity to earn community service hours. Fill-out an online volunteer form.

The event raises money for Dayton Children’s Miracle Network, which enables children to get treatment for chronic illnesses or cancer. These children, treated through Dayton Children’s Hospital, have chronic illnesses that result in long hospitalizations and treatment processes. Proceeds from Raiderthon go toward hospital equipment, gas gift cards for families and family room updates for Dayton Children’s Hospital.

At the first Raiderthon in 2013, students raised $50,000. This year, Raiderthon has already raised more than $20,000, with a total fundraising goal of $50,000.

Heath Marker, president of this year’s Raiderthon and a senior psychology major, said the majority of the fundraising happens during the week leading up to dance marathon and on the day of Raiderthon.

“We typically raise $10,000 on that day alone,” he said.

Marker got involved with Raiderthon as a dancer during his freshman year. Since then, he has been a morale captain, dancing on stage to get the other dancers excited. He joined the executive team last year.

“Raiderthon has given me a new outlook on life and how I approach things because we got to meet some of the miracle kids at the hospital,” Marker said. “That’s something I’ve never faced, I’ve never had a chronic illness or been in the hospital for a prolonged time, so just seeing the kids gives me a bunch of inspiration to keep fighting.”

Along with music and dancing, the University Activities Board will host Brent Palla, a comedian from California, who will perform at 6 p.m. on Nov. 18.

Marker hopes to get students excited for the Raiderthon and encourages them to register and attend to the event.

“I think it’s really emotional and impactful event,” he said. “The first time you go, you will be drawn in and dedicated to what we do and what we do on a large scale and seeing the kids we get to impact. I think everyone should get involved, since we’re part of the Dayton community and giving back to the community is important.”

Learn more about Raiderthon at wright.edu/event/raiderthon.