Volume 3, Issue 1

Summer 2011

The mission of The UNC Dance Marathon is to unite the University, community and state in fostering emotional and financial support that improves the quality of life for the patients, families and staff of N.C. Childrens Hospital.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Sept. 6-9 Committe Recruitment Week: This week is the only chance to join a committee and help UNC-DM behind the scenes all year. Nov. 7-11 Dancer Recruitment Week: Sign up to be a part of 24 dancer teams raising money together for the 2012 UNC Dance Marathon. Feb. 17-18 The 2012 UNC Dance Marathon: Mark your calendars and plan your class schedules around it you wont want to miss it.

Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isnt music.
~William Stafford, American poet

Whats Up This Month

Welcome to our 14th year!
Gracie Beard, 2012 overall coordinator, tells what to expect and look forward to in our 14th year supporting N.C. Childrens Hospital.
Photo by Molly Sutherland

See Page 2

Give a buck, get a cone

Students with UNC-DM kicked off the 2012 fundraising year collecting donations at Franklin Street Ben & Jerrys Free Cone Day.

Presence in the Hospital

We held a social for top fundraisers in each of the 24 dancer teams in the Pediatric Playroom in March. The students played games, painted faces, did arts and crafts, and played cornhole with the children in the hospital at the time.

See Page 2

Where does the money go?

The $436,709.61 raised in the 2011 marathon supports nine new grants and three ongoing grants.

See Page 3-4

Next Issue
Keep an eye out for our September Newsletter, which will include an indepth look at our grant for the Pediatric Sedation Excellence Program. Also view
this issues content and more at our blog: uncdm.wordpress.com.

True Life: Im on the OC

Meet the 14 UNC students who serve on the overall committee and will lead 13 committees in planning, fundraising, organizing and running the 2012 marathon.

For the Kids Story

Stephanie is a 4-year-old with chronic lung disease who travels three hours each way for routine clinic visits. She had six visits to the pediatric specialty clinics in 2010 which meant missed work for mom and many out of pocket charges from co-pays and coinsurance. Stephanies fathers work hours were cut last fall and the family has been playing catch up since. Her father got back to full-time work eventually, but the family was still catching up with bills from the winter months, leaving them owing a large amount to their electric company. The For the Kids Fund provided assistance with a large portion of their electric bill.

See Page 5-6

Check out our website

We have recently updated our website, www.uncmarathon.org with new information about our grants, our history, our programs and how you can get involved.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, contact 2012 Publicity Chair Olivia Barrow at obarrow12@gmail.com.

Summer Newsletter

CElEbraTE 2011, MOVE fOrWard fOr 2012: a MESSaGE frOM ThE OVErall COOrdINaTOr
Hello everyone! As the 2011 UNC Dance Marathon came to a close, it was obvious that something amazing had happened. Students, businesses, community volunteers, hospital employees and many others came together under a common goal: to improve the quality of life of the patients and families of N.C. Childrens Hospital. The love, joy, inspiration and passion we shared Feb. 19 culminated a year of numerous successes, including new hospital programs, innovative initiatives to involve community members in our organization and exciting fundraising events. The work of the Overall Committee, sub-chairs and committee members is truly inspiring, but we would not be nearly as successful without the support of the hospital, Carolina faculty, businesses, alumni, students, community members and donors. Through the combined efforts of hundreds of passionate people, we were able to financially and emotionally support the patients and families. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the 2011 UNC Dance Marathon. You made a tangible impact on the hospital and we cannot put into words how grateful we are for your support. It is because of you that we were able to support deserving patients and families, providing them with things such as expenses not funded by insurance or Medicaid, hot meals after tiresome days and the means to participate in the Pediatric Sedation Excellence Program. Again, thank you so much. While we are certainly still celebrating the end of a phenomenal year, we are already beginning to plan the 2012 UNC Dance Marathon. The 13 new Overall Committee members and their sub-chairs are currently brainstorming and implementing ideas that will make the upcoming year as successful as possible. They will work the whole year to ensure the patients and families have the hospital experience they deserve. If you would like to learn more about our non-profit, what exactly we do at N.C. Childrens Hospital, or how to get involved, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are so excited about the impact we hope to make in 2012 and we would love to work with you as we improve the lives of the patients and families at N.C. Childrens Hospital. For the Kids, Gracie Beard 2012 Overall Coordinator

UNC-dM raISES MONEy aT frEE CONE day

Paige Warmus
Students decked out in UNC Dance Marathon gear collected donations from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. from a line full of hungry ice-cream-lovers, some who were waiting for their second or third cone on Free Cone Day, April 12. Ben & Jerrys ice cream shops everywhere host an annual Free Cone Day, usually held between late March and early May, to thank customers and celebrate 33 years of business. The ice cream shop also uses the day to support a local non-profit, carrying out its mission to be socially active. UNC Dance Marathon is the Franklin Street Ben & Jerrys non-profit, said 2012 UNC-DM Overall Coordinator Gracie Beard. We get donations today, and we also get ice cream for our events all year long. Free Cone Day allows UNC-DM to not only publicize events, but to raise money for N.C. Childrens Hospital. I figured I may as well have donated because the ice cream was free and delicious, said Emily Pearce, a sophomore majoring in business administration. I would have paid for it anyways. People came in droves to get a free cone, and lines out the door and around the block didnt seem to persuade people against waiting at least half an hour for a free scoop and a donation. I waited for a long time in line, said Maryam Amuda, a sophomore biology major. But it was worth it for free ice cream. Franklin Streets Ben & Jerrys gave away 5,150 free cones this year, a new record for the store, according to Ben & Jerrys employee Lee Jones. It was crazy because there were so many people, Jones said. There always seemed to be a huge line outside. Local celebrities often help out by scooping ice cream and raising awareness for a non-profit. This year Franklin Streets Ben & Jerrys saw a variety of student athletes, as well as Student Body President Mary Cooper. UNC a cappella groups serenaded customers waiting in line.

Summer Newsletter

UNC-dM SUPPOrTS 9 NEW GraNTS

This year, in addition to our three ongoing grants, UNC Dance Marathon has made possible the following nine new grants that directly benefit N.C. Childrens Hospital:
munication plan that includes a website, quarterly reporting and family interviews; and improvement projects involving staff and family or patient advisors.

3
Kaylee Baker

Division of Pediatric Hemetology/Oncology: Spanish Department of Pediatrics: Interpreter Pediatric Nursing: Rocking Pediatric Palliative Care ProIn its second year, this grant contin- Gliders gram (PPC) ues to fund the salary of a dedicated
The Pediatric Palliative Care Program covers the partial salary of a nurse practitioner and a physician who will co-direct the program. UNCDM will fund their training to develop a clinical consultation service. This grant will also pay the partial salary of a child psychologist who will join the team. The short-term goal of this grant is to create a nurse practitionerled consultation service; in the long term, the PPC Committee hopes to expand to the outpatient setting to enhance continuity of care and collaborate with hospice programs that serve children across North Carolina. Spanish Interpreter for the Division of Pediatric Hemetology/Oncology. Currently the Hispanic population comprises more than 20 percent of the clinics population. This interpreter allows the Hispanic population to receive the same level of care as the English-speaking population. Spanish-speaking families are able to use the resources of the clinics teacher, recreational therapist, social worker, psychologist, nurses and physicians with an interpreter present at all times. Having the same interpreter on a daily basis allows for a development of trust so families may ask more questions and receive better care. In addition to serving as a source of great support for this subset of patients, the interpreter also translates patient educational materials and forms into Spanish.

ment, families who have difficulties navigating the new system often go without this necessity, stretching the special formula with regular formula. The partial salary of a bilingual social worker will also help these families locate a source of funding for metabolic formula and equipment, so that no family goes without.

This new grant allows for the purchase of rocking gliders for each of the pods in the Newborn Critical Care Center. These rocking gliders are intended to provide a place for recent mothers and their children to spend time together while in N.C. Childrens Hospital. Often times in the hospital, mothers do not have the time nor the means to soothe or care for their child. The rocking gliders will allow parents to care for their child in the same way they would in their own homes.

N.C. Childrens Center for Clinical Excellence: Pediatric Sedation Excellence Program
The overall purpose of this grant is to promote quality and safety efforts for all pediatric sedation efforts throughout the UNC Healthcare system. The grant enabled the purchase of a video-goggle system for patients to use during an MRI instead of sedation. The grant will also fund the partial salary of a Project Manager and a Quality Analyst,who will work together to create a sustainable program structure that includes a com-

Newborn Critical Care Center (NCCC): Parent Support Luncheons

This grant is taking over funding for a weekly support luncheon for parents in the Newborn Critical Care Center that has been going on for several years. This luncheon allows parents to take a break from the countless hours spent at their childs bedside, get much-needed nourishment and meet other parents who have a child receiving care in the NCCC. Because parents are often isolated from extended family and social support systems, they greatly benefit from connecting with other parents who face similar situations.

Division of Pediatric Genetics and Metabolism: Emergency formula and Social Worker
A new grant awarded to the Division of Pediatric Genetics and Metabolism allows for purchase of emergency baby formula and equipment for patients with chronic metabolic disorders. Because North Carolina has recently changed its policy regarding funding for this formula and equip-

Summer Newsletter

GraNTS

4
to families on an as-needed basis. Based on private conversations with families, social workers are able to determine where to disperse the For the Kids Fund. In addition, they released an application this year so that families who were not in direct contact with the social workers could also access the fund.

CONTINUEd frOM PaGE 3

Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) NutriPediatric Eating Disorders tion Booklet Unit: Patient and Family ReThis grant enables the creation of source Library 200 copies of a pediatric IBD nutriThis grant, awarded to the Inpatient Eating Disorders Unit through the Department of Recreational Therapy and Child Life, will be used to purchase resources such as books, CDs and DVDs to create an Eating Disorder Patient and Family Resource Library. Both teens and families have voiced their need for leisurely and academic resources specific to eating disorders. This easily accessible library of resources will facilitate independent discovery for both participants and family. Teenagers can use this library to absorb information at their own pace and on their own time schedule, empowering them to better understand their new diagnoses. tion booklet, which will be distributed to patients in the outpatient specialty clinic. Currently, there is no comparable resource for use or purchase on the specialized nutrition needs of pediatric patients with Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, or indeterminate colitis. In using the new booklet, the research coordinator-dietitian team will provide an overview of the material and then focus on the nutritional issues unique to the patients need. The research coordinator-dietitian team will follow up with the patient at his or her next outpatient visit to gauge progress and make necessary adjustments to the patients plan. The team will meet with those patients with satisfactory nutrition and growth statuses every third outpatient visit.

This environment helps families remain in close proximity with their babies while benefiting from the support that their peers can provide.

Parents Night Out

A grant continues to fund this program, which aims to provide families in N.C. Childrens Hospital with a free hot meal once a week. Parents often use PNO as a way to leave their rooms and interact with other parents. However, if a parent does not wish to leave his or her childs side, UNCDM volunteers also deliver the meal. UNC-DM funds and sends volunteers to PNO half of the year while Volunteer Services provide funds and services for the other half of the year.

Healthy Steps Program

Now in its third year, this program allows Healthy Steps expert Karen Wysocki to spend time with parents after the doctor leaves the room. She answers any questions families may have ranging from the details of potty training to when a child should be eating solid foods. Wysocki hands out information packets she created that explain each stage of childhood. In addition, the grant funded the purchase of a Dance Dance Revolution game set. UNC-DM committee volunteers play DDR and read with kids and families waiting in the General Pediatric Clinic waiting room.

Division of Pediatric Endocrinology: Camp Carolina Trails

For the second year, this grant provides the funds to send two patients to Camp Carolina Trails, which provides diabetes education for children. This six-day summer camp allows kids to achieve a higher level of selfcare activity, resulting in better metabolic control. Campers interact with kids their own age and engage in arts, crafts, nature studies and sports such as hiking, swimming, and canoeing.

Ongoing Contracts
The For the Kids Fund
This fund covers costs not covered by insurance or Medicaid that families may not otherwise be able to afford along with their childs hospital bills. This fund allows families to focus on caring for their child instead of worrying about everyday financial burdens. Social workers within the N.C. Childrens Hospital allocated the funds

Summer Newsletter

OVErall COMMITTEE 2012 PrOfIlES

Name: Gracie Beard Position: Overall Coordinator year: Senior hometown: Charlotte, N.C. Major: Psychology, History favorite dance move: The sprinkler -- gotta love a classic! Vision: To work closely with all of UNC-DMs 13 committees and N.C. Childrens Hospital in an effort to better help patients and families. Name: Molly Sutherland Position: Alumni Relations year: Junior hometown: Omaha, Neb. Major: Graphic Design favorite dance move: Cupid Shuffle Vision:To facilitate communication among alumni, dancers and the community as well as to increase alumni involvement throughout the year, especially during the marathon. Name: David Zittrouer Position: Business Management year: Junior hometown: Charlotte, N.C. Major: Finance and Consulting favorite dance move: The Monkey (as seen on Johnny Bravo) Vision: To effectively manage finances so each event runs more smoothly as the year goes on; to expand the grants UNC-DM applies for and receives, along with streamlined communication with all dancers and donors involved. Name: Anna Beth Black Position: Campus Fundraising year: Senior hometown: Charlotte, N.C. Major: Speech and Hearing Sciences favorite dance move: The Bus Driver Vision: To strengthen relationships and collaboration with other campus organizations, while also targeting a diverse population of students to promote UNC-DMs fundraising events. Name: Megan Warren Position: Community Events year: Junior hometown: Raleigh, N.C. Major: Speech and Hearing Sciences, Psychology favorite dance move: Pop, Lock and Drop It Vision: To expand the presence of UNC-DM throughout the community by establishing and maintaining positive relationships with a wide variety of businesses, as well as promoting UNC-DM Day. Name: Bethany Nelson Position: Corporate Marketing year: Senior hometown: Fairfax, Va. Major: Public Relations, Business minor favorite dance move: She wishes she could break dance! Vision: To focus on expanding corporate title sponsorships and sponsors for each hour and have so much wonderful food the dancers are never hungry. Name: Diane Morris Position: Entertainment year: Senior hometown: Raleigh, N.C. Major: Linguistics, French favorite dance move: The Creep Vision: To have fun, energizing and meaningful performers and activities that engage and motivate dancers to stay standing For the Kids!

Summer Newsletter
Name: Carrie Dobbins Position: Fundraising Projects year: Senior hometown: Kinston, N.C. Major: Communications, Psychology favorite dance move: Hula-Hoop and Pretty Girl Rock (but not together) Vision: To extend the impact the Fundraising Projects Committee has on the marathon by creating more canning opportunities, selling new and exciting merchandise and sending out even more fundraising letters than last year. Name: Chancey Rouse Position: Hospital year: Senior hometown: Raleigh, N.C. Major: History, Political Science favorite dance move: The Cabbage Patch Vision: To help students involved in UNC-DM feel more personally connected to the families at N.C. Childrens Hospital, and to plan enjoyable events that foster strong relationships with patients, families and employees.

Name: Maggie Riddell Position: Morale and Recruitment year: Senior hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Major: History, Political Science favorite dance move: The Dougie Vision: To recruit 1,600 enthusiastic dancers and keep them involved in both UNCDMs cause and their Dancer Team, while moving it and dancing For the Kids all year long! Name: Michael Hieronymus Position: Operations year: Senior hometown: Pinehurst, N.C. Major: Biostatistics, Chemistry minor favorite dance move: Its a toss-up between The Sprinkler and Albert Brennamans Q-tip. Vision: To find ways for the Operations Committee to be more involved in the logistical details of events during the year, not just at the marathon. Name: Galen Cook Position: Outreach year: Senior hometown: Indianapolis, Ind. Major: Psychology, Public Relations minor favorite dance move: Da Worm, yalllllll Vision: To expand UNC-DM as an organization beyond the University by coordinating events with local groups across North Carolina, thereby spreading UNC-DMs mission throughout the state. Name: Olivia Barrow Position: Publicity year: Senior hometown: Durham, N.C. Major: Reporting, French favorite dance move: The Shimmy Vision: To connect the community and campus to UNC-DMs work in the hospital and to increase year-round participation in its volunteer and fundraising events through interactive and innovative publicity. Name: Sally Wheeler Position: Supply and Logistics year: Senior hometown: Highlands, N.C. Major: English favorite dance move: The Shimmy Vision: To develop and maintain relationships with local businesses through solicitation and the application of incentives in hopes of meeting maximum UNCDM needs and touching as many lives as possible.