The mission of The UNC Dance Marathon is to overcome childhood illness by providing major support for the

medical, surgical, and emotional care of the parients and families served by North Carolina Childrens Hospital
Volume 6, Issue 1 Summer 2014
Upcoming
Events
Aug. 23. UNC-DM Kickoff
Part of UNCs Week of
Welcome, learn how
to get involved with
Carolinas largest student
organization.
Sept. 25. Committee
Recruitment Week
Join a committee and help
UNC-DM behind the scenes
all year. Come see us in
the Pit all week.
Nov. 37. Dancer
Recruitment Week
Come see us in the Pit all
week to sign up to dance!
Nov 22. 5K FTK
Join us for our third annual
5K FTK and fun run.
March 20 & 21. The 2015
UNC Dance Marathon
Mark your calendars and
get ready for the 17th
marathon.
You are standing for
every child that has ever
and will ever walk through
those doors at the
Childrens Hospital. You
are giving them all a
voice.
- Tony Arthur,
Kid Co-Captain Parent
In This Issue
Welcome To Our 17
th
Year!
Evan Sherwood, 2015 Executive
Director, tells us what to expect
and look forward to in our 17th year
supporting the patients and families
of N.C. Childrens Hospital.
Page 2
Ronald McDonald House
The Ronald McDonald House of
Chapel Hill is expanding thanks in
part to a donation from UNC-DM.
Page 3
PNO and FTK Fund
Two of UNC-DMs longest standing
and most important grants are
returning for another year.
Page 4
#UNCDMWorldwide
UNC-DM is going global! Find out
where our dancers have been
all summer and learn about your
chance to win a bag of DM swag
through our social media contest!
Page 5
Meet the Executive Board
Meet the 14 UNC-Chapel Hill
students who serve on the
Executive Board and will lead
the 13 committees in planning,
organizing and running the 2015
mar athon.
Page 6
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please contact 2015 Publicity Chair Brendan Leonard at publicity@uncdm.org.
Follow Us!
Visit Us Online!
www.uncmarathon.org

Motivated By Last Year, Excited For Whats To Come:
Thoughts From The 2015 Executive Director, Evan Sherwood
FTK Story
Summer Newsletter | 2
Gas cards were provided to
the family of a young teen who was
receiving specialized treatment for
an eating disorder at N.C. Childrens
Hospital. For over 2 years, the family
had worked tirelessly to fnd and access
appropriate treatment for their child.
They have traveled from over 3 hours
away to get to UNC.
The patients mother is the sole
fnancial provider for the family. She
works an overnight shift three times a
week for minimum wage as she cannot
read or write. The patients father is a
disabled veteran with combat related
mental illness. Due to very limited
fnancial resources and the need to
work, it is very diffcult for the family
to come to the hospital. The patients
half-sister drives over 90 miles from
her house to the parents house to pick
them up, and then drives them the 3
hours to UNC.
Treatment at UNC requires family
to be present for family therapy, menu
planning, on unit meals, and off unit
therapeutic passes. All of this requires
time and money. This family was
hesitant to ask for fnancial assistance
due to fear that the treatment team
would think that they could not provide
for their child, although it is clear how
much they care for their child.
Gas cards from the For the
Kids Fund and lodging at the Ronald
McDonald House has allowed this
Hey Everyone!

What a ride the 2014 UNC
Dance Marathon was. We had a
phenomenal year! We grew in
almost every possible way; we had
more 5k runners, more dancers,
and more support from the com-
munity than ever before.
I want take a moment to thank
our advocates, donors, dancers,
and volunteers. Without each
and every one of you $551,595.87
would not have been possible. You
all pour in so much time and ener-
gy into our organization and have
brought us to where we are today.
From all of us at UNC-DM, we want
to say thank you.
Reaching the $500,000 mile-
stone for the frst time in our
history has created quite the
excitement heading into the 2015
UNC Dance Marathon. The money
we were able to raise has gone to
fund the FTK Fund, Parents Night
Out, and Healthy Steps in N.C.
Childrens Hospital.
We were also excited to be
able to announce our commitment
to the Ronald McDonald House of
Chapel Hill. They provide a home
away from home for over 2,000
families a year, and we are excited
to help them provide 24 new long
term suites and an outdoor living
space. This expansion will also
include the UNC Dance Marathon
Community Meeting Room. We are
so excited to be able to partner
with RMH-Chapel Hill to help the
families of patients at N.C. Chil-
drens Hospital.
The 2015 UNC Dance Marathon
is already in the works. The Exec-
utive Board and their sub-chairs
have been hard at work this sum-
mer building off the excitement
2014 left us with. We cant wait to
share all that we have been work-
ing on with everyone!
If you would like to learn more
about our organization, such as the
programs we fund, the work we do
inside N.C. Childrens Hospital, or
how you can get involved, please
dont hesitate to contact us! We
would love for you to get involved
in any way possible. You can make
a difference and we hope you will
continue to help us make a differ-
ence for the lives of the patients
and families of N.C. Childrens
Hospital.
For the kids,
Evan Sherwood
2015 Executive Director
For more FTK stories, visit
www.uncmarathon.org.
Sherwood during Dancer Recruitment Week 2014.
Photo by Renee Montpetit
Make Room for Hope: Ronald McDonald House of Chapel
Hill Expansion Project
Summer Newsletter | 3
Since opening in 1988, The
Ronald McDonald House of Chap-
el Hill has supported 36,000
families from all 100 counties.
And while the house serves
more than 2,200 families each
year, it unfortunately turns away
800 families annually due to lack
of space.
However, that issue
will soon be remedied
by a 24,000 square foot
expansion, bringing the
House from 29 to 53
total rooms.
This spring, UNC
Dance Marathon paid its
fnal third installment of
a $250,000 pledge made
in 2012 to the expansion
project.
Kelsey Lemieur, 2013 Supply
and Logistics Chair, now De-
velopment Assistant at Ronald
McDonald House Chapel Hill,
watched the bulldozers offcially
dig in on the long awaited and
much needed expansion project
in July 2014.
A project that she has seen
come full circle, from the origi-
nal idea to UNC-DMs fnal check.
It has been really fulflling
and great to continue the work
I did with Dance Marathon,(the
organizations) have very similar
missions, Lemieur said.
The project will include 20
long-term stay suites, four short-
term stay guest rooms, a com-
munal kitchen, a great room, a
media room and a dining room,
as well as outdoor respite and
play spaces.
Lemieur said the expansion
will have the space needed to
launch a pediatric palliative
care pilot program. She said the
House will contract out with
Hospice and allow families to
stay in the new suites as long as
they need.
This is a pilot programthe
frst of its kind Were really
excited about it, Lemieur said.
Within the next couple of
years it will be fully launched
and thriving and we can hopeful-
ly be a model house.
Evan Sher-
wood, 2015
UNC-DM Exec-
utive Director,
said he is most
looking forward
to this aspect
of the expan-
sion.
Not many
places offer
those services
so it will be
great that Ron-
ald McDonald
House will be
able to help the families having
to deal with end of life care and
make that process as smooth as
possible, Sherwood said.
Lemieur said the partnership
between The Ronald McDonald
House and UNC-DM is a good ft
because the organizations have
similar missions.
Sherwood echoed her
sentiments, saying that
both organizations care
about the families and
patients of N.C Childrens
Hospital.
We both want fam-
ilies to focus on taking
care of their child while
we help provide the rest,
which can include any-
thing from a place to stay
to a hot meal, Sherwood said.
It is so cool to partner with
someone that has a similar vision
because you can accomplish
greater things when you work
together.
Publicity Chair Brendan Leonard, UNC-DM Executive Director Evan Sher-
wood, RMH Executive Director Shelley Day, Community Outreach Chair
Meagan Barger, Operations Chair Logan Hiers and Morale and Recruitment
Chair Jean-Luc Rivera at the groundbreaking in April.
Photo courtesy of UNC Dance Marathon
By Haley Waxman, Copy Edit Sub-Chair
"This expansion will enable us to help more
than 800 additional families each year. Families
whose children's health care is dependent on
the support they receive from the House. UNC
Dance Marathon's support of the expansion of the
Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill was the
frst major commitment we received and it sent
a powerful message to all prospective donors
that came later."
-Shelley Day, Ronald McDonald House of Chapel
Hill Executive Director
Summer Newsletter | 4
Sticking to Our Roots: FTK Fund and Parents Night Out
Kevin Kelly and Karen Albritton of the Hospital Board of Visitors with mem-
bers from the 2014 and 2015 UNC-DM Executive Board.
Photo courtesy of UNC Dance Marathon
Members of the 2014 Executive Board at Parents Night Out.
Photo by Erin Meyer
UNC Dance Marathon will continue to fund
two of the organizations most long-standing
grants, Parents Night Out (PNO) and the For
the Kids (FTK) Fund, both of which are ex-
tremely central to the organizations mission.
Through PNO, UNC-DM was able to serve
7,234 hot meals to parents at N.C Childrens
Hospital, more than ever before.
Evan Sherwood, 2015 Executive Director,
said PNO is a great way to go into the hospital
and work directly with patients and families.
UNC-DM has continued to support the grant
for so long because the value of a free, hot
meal is often underestimated during a hospital
stay, Sherwood added.
We think it can be a great comfort to
receive a hot meal when you are caught up in
making important medical decisions for your
child, Sherwood said.
We dont want families worrying about
where their next meal is coming fromWe can
take care of that and let them focus on the
important medical decisions.
Shakeia Burgin, 2015 Hospital Chair, said
PNO is a favorite volunteer opportunity for
many in the organization.
I cant even put into words the gratitude
and appreciation we constantly receive from
parents, Burgin said.
Every week at PNO, seeing those families
faces light up, reminds us all why we do what
we do.
By Haley Waxman, Copy Edit Sub-Chair
The For the Kids Fund represents the most core
beliefs of UNC-DM as an organization.
The FTK Fund allows families to focus on caring
for their child rather than worrying about everyday
fnancial burdens by taking care of costs not cov-
ered by Medicaid, which families may not be able to
afford in addition to their childs medical bills.
The FTK Fund was able to supply over $14,000 in
meal tickets and $35,000 in gas cards to families in
over 50 of North Carolinas counties last year.
Burgin said she hopes this year to expand the
FTK Fund to beneft children who are admitted to
the hospitals burn center.
Since they are not located in the childrens
hospital, they have never benefted from the FTK
Fund but I hope we will be able to reach out to them
for this year and for the future of the FTK Fund, she
said.
Sherwood said UNC-DM has supported the FTK
Fund for so many years because it aligns with the
organizations founding principles.
We strive to ease the lives of the patients and
families of N.C. Childrens Hospital and the FTK Fund
accomplishes that through gas cards, meal tickets,
and bill payments, he said.
We will always stay in touch with our roots be-
cause they have made us what we are today.
#UNCDMWorldwide: Summer Social Media Contest
Summer Newsletter | 5
From Boone to Morocco, UNC Dance Marathon is going global!
From now until Aug. 16, send us a photo of you or your friends
sporting UNC-DM gear and you could win a bag of UNC-DM
merchandise. Facebook followers will be able to vote on the top
5 photos. Submit your photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Be sure to tag us and include #UNCDMWorldwide. Go get those
cameras snapping!
UNC Dance Marathon
@UNCDM
UNC Dance Marathon is the largest student-run fundraiser at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Our efforts benet the patients and families at N.C. Childrens Hospital.
Chapel Hill, N.C. - http://www.uncmarathon.org
Following
2,855 TWEETS
983 FOLLOWING
2,374 FOLLOWERS
Interactions
Nneka Molokwu @nayyyykuhh
FTK and FTCamels in Morocco!
#UNCDMWorldwide @UNCDM
6:41 PM - 1 June 14
Haley Waxman @haleywax
Hiking in Boone! #UNCDMWorldwide
@UNCDM
10:40 PM - 25 May 14
Katie Quine @undeniablykatie
Taking my love for @uncdm
with me today as I hike through
Cinque Terre in Italy!
#uncdmworldwide
4:45 PM - 21 July 14
Matt Hodgin @MCHodgin
The most beautiful view I have ever seen:
overlooking Lake Taupo in New Zealand
#UNCDMWorldwide #FTK @UNCDM
4:31 AM - 9 July 14
2015 Executive Board Profles
Evan Sherwood, Executive Director
Hometown: West End, N.C. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: The Nae Nae
Dance Marathon has been a part of me since I stepped foot on this campus almost 3 years ago. This
organization has shown me what it means to dedicate yourself to a cause and get others just as excited
as you are about something. This organization has introduced me to the most amazing people and has
given me some of my best friends. UNC-DM has provided me a place to call home and allowed me to
make a tangible difference in lives of others. UNC-DM has taught me what passion means and how a
group of people can accomplish anything that they set their minds to.
Logan Hiers, Operations Chair
Hometown: Greensboro, NC. Year: Junior Favorite Dance Move: The Wobble
My favorite UNC-DM memory is without a doubt seeing the total reveal at the 2014 Marathon. It is
quite remarkable to think that this organization has reached yet another milestone. The reactions of
all the different people at the Marathon says it all; some people screamed, others were in shock, and
some even began crying. I believe UNC-DM has the opportunity to do things unprecedented from the
past, and I am looking forward to what will come from this year!
Jean-Luc Rivera, Morale and Recruitment Chair
Hometown: Robinsville, N.C. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: The Nae Nae
I love being a part of UNC-DM because its amazing to be able to see the direct impact that were
making on the lives of the patients and families of the North Carolina Childrens Hospital. As a member
of the Morale and Recruitment committee, I can be crazy and help the kids at the same time, which
is why I love my committee so much! Having the ability to spread the excitement and joy of UNC-DM
throughout the student body is something special. From dropping it low in the Pit to dancing with
Kid Co-Captains on stage at the marathon, I love every single aspect of Morale and I cant wait to get
weird this next year!
Rachel Daniel, Supply and Logistics Chair
Hometown: Goldston, N.C. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: Anything Beyonce Has Ever Done
I am in love with UNC Dance Marathon because I believe that for 24 hours every year, magic happens
in Fetzer Gym. This organization has given me so much and I want to give something back. Its every-
bodys duty to give the world a reason to dance! I am excited and hopeful about making 2015 UNC
Dance Marathons biggest year yet! Over the years, structural changes have geared the organization
towards expansion and I think that will really start to take shape this year to make UNC-DM bigger and
better!
Beth Hieronymus, Donor Development Chair
Hometown: Matthews, N.C. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: The Worm
UNC Dance Marathon is a truly unique organization that unites the student body for something more
important than the degrees we earn. Im most excited about pouring my heart into an organization
that I care so much about alongside people who share the same passion. I cant wait to engage other
students in this campus-wide cause that gives hope to families. Im excited to help lead a movement
of compassionate individuals who care enough to take a stand to support children and families who
deserve our support.
Meagan Barger, Community Outreach Chair
Hometown: Matthews, N.C. Year: Junior Favorite Dance Move: Framing The Face
I do what I do because I am absolutely in love with this organization. It amazes me that a group of
students can impact the campus, the N.C. Childrens Hospital, and the community in such a great way.
Im excited to be a part of UNC Dance Marathon as it continues to grow as an organization. We are an
organization that is constantly seeking to innovate and take strides forward, and I cannot wait to play an
instrumental role in those strides.
Landon Sherwood, Finance Chair
Hometown: West End, N.C. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: The Nae Nae
UNC Dance Marathon is the one organization that always leaves one with a feeling of wanting to do
more. It is an organization that inspires college students and community members alike to come to-
gether and leave their own mark on their community. We link the community together in order to give
families a chance to actually be a family. Ultimately, UNC Dance Marathon embodies the Carolina Way:
selfessness, community, and inspiration.
Summer Newsletter | 6
Profles Continued from page 6
Christina Lewis, Corporate Marketing Chair
Hometown: Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: Anything Drake Does
UNC Dance Marathon was the frst organization I became involved with on campus. Since becoming
involved with Dance Marathon, I found my purpose. It was through my experiences at the N.C Childrens
Hospital that I frst learned about how underserved and minority populations can be so adversely affect-
ed by the healthcare system. These experiences have made me passionate and adamant about one day
practicing medicine with underserved and disadvantaged populations. What Dance Marathon means to
me is giving everyone a fair chance at equal, honest, quality care.
Sonya Kowalczyk, Event Donations Chair
Hometown: Lambertville, N.J. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: The Wobble
It is hard to put in words the extent to which I have been moved by the strength of the families and
patients at N.C. Childrens Hospital. Their constant smiles, appreciation, and love through such incred-
ibly diffcult and stressful times are truly inspiring and will remain with me throughout my entire life.
UNC-DM shows these families that they are not fghting alone and that there is a body 2,000 students
strong standing with them. UNC-DM helps to lighten these families fnancial burdens so that they can
concentrate on what is truly important: their children. UNC-DM provides unrivaled support and care to
these families and patients and this is why I am passionate about UNC-DM.
Shakeia Burgin, Hospital Chair
Hometown:Union Mills, N.C. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: Salsa
When I consider what UNC-DM is all about, the kids, I cant help but to feel inspired. The obstacles
we encounter in life often times, pale in comparison to what the kids and families we are helping go
through. Even through all of that, those kids and those families never give up. They fght their battles
with magic, superhero strength, and wishes on shooting stars. Being a part of Dance Marathon gives us
the chance to be a part of that magic, lets us be a sidekick to the superheroes, and puts us on a ray
from those shooting stars. Dance Marathon is my family, my inspiration, and my passion.
Chelsea Krivanek, Fundraising Projects Chair
Hometown:Mooresville, N.C. Year: Junior Favorite Dance Move: Smang
Im passionate about UNC-DM because it gives UNC students the chance to come together and stand
for the patients and families of N.C. Childrens Hospital and have a great time while doing it! This year,
Im most excited about seeing us reach more families than ever before, and getting to work side by
side with 13 amazing people to make it happen.
Heather Gunter, Entertainment Chair
Hometown:Gastonia, N.C. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: Smack The Buttah
Im really excited to work with the rest of the Executive Board to make this year with UNC-DM more
exciting and cause-centered than ever! As Entertainment chair, I want to provide a fun-flled atmo-
sphere that also reminds people of the great work theyre doing for the patients and families served by
N.C. Childrens.
Kari Beasley, Campus Fundraising Chair
Hometown:Cary, N.C. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: The Dougie
It is unfair for the patients and families of the N.C. Childrens Hospital to endure their experiences
alone. I love that UNC-DM brings joy to these children and families during the hardest time of their life.
UNC-DM has changed my life, and I love giving back to this organization. Plus, you arent really living
until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. Im most excited about planning
awesome restaurant percentage nights and bar beneft nights this year!
Brendan Leonard, Publicity Chair
Hometown:Danvers, Mass. Year: Senior Favorite Dance Move: Under the Booty
I stand to give patients in the hospital the chance to be kids. I think childhood is one of the most
important times in life, and I want to help as many kids have the best one possible as I can. This year,
Im most looking forward to seeing UNCDM grow to touch even more families after a record-breaking
year by any measure. Being on the 2014 Executive Board was one of the greatest things Ive had the
opportunity to do, and I absolutely cannot wait to see what we are able to accomplish this year as an
organization as we continue to expand our partnerships with UNC Childrens and the entire Carolina
community.
Summer Newsletter | 7