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COLLEGE PARK, Md.-- For The Kids. Three words that define Terp Thon,
Marylands largest student run philanthropy project. For the past 8 years,
students at the University of Maryland have come together for a Dance
Marathon to raise money for Childrens National Hospital in D.C, part of the
Childrens Miracle Network Hospital System.
One thing I love about Terp Thon is that people come together for one
cause. It gives me hope for all the kids in the hospital, said Jaiwen Hsu, a
miracle kid, who has been treated for cancer at Childrens National Hospital.
I dance to give back to an organization and hospital network that has given
so much to my family. Childrens Miracle Network saved my brothers life and
gave me the opportunity to watch him grow up happy and healthy, said
Caitlin Lane, a member of the Terp Thon planning team.
Alumni also continue to be passionate about the cause and return every year
for the event.
My favorite part about coming back is seeing the Miracle Kids and the
families, said alumni Kim Heller, who was the Fiscal Director for Terp Thon in
2016.
Miracle Kids are children who have been treated at Childrens National. Their
families have benefited from the philanthropic efforts of Terp Thon that
ensure that no child is turned away due to financial reasons.
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Fundraising efforts also support art therapy, music programs, and a healing
garden that allows kids to be kids during their hospital stay.
Knowing how money directly impacts the hospital and the kids, Terp Thon
challenged itself to be bigger, bolder, and one million stronger. This goal is a
$272,000 increase from the total raised in 2016.
Just after midnight, the fundraising total was revealed. The numbers slowly
began to rise stopping at a total of $1,0001,304.16.
Terp Thon is the youngest Dance Marathon to reach the million dollar
milestone.
When the total appeared during reveal, I was emotional, literally, I cried, but
I wasnt shocked, said Anna Melnick, a member of the events committee on
the Terp Thon Planning Team.
Terp Thon proved that they had the ability to be bigger, bolder, and, one
million stronger.
We worked so hard all year, but everything we did was worth it. Because it
was all For the Kids, said Melanie Babi, Terp Thon Executive Board Member.
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