March 6, 2012 | Michael Kirk

UConn Students Raise Record Amount Through ‘HuskyTHON’

The hours-long dance marathon will benefit the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

Uconn students dance at Huskython 2012 on Feb. 18. (Sarah Rawlinson/UConn Photo)

Uconn students dance at Huskython 2012 on Feb. 18. (Sarah Rawlinson/UConn Photo)

UConn students dance at Huskython 2012 on Feb. 18. (Sarah Rawlinson/UConn Photo)
UConn students dance at Huskython 2012 on Feb. 18. (Sarah Rawlinson/UConn Photo)

HuskyTHON, UConn’s annual 18-hour student-led charity dance marathon, raised a record $304,375 for the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center during this year’s event, held in February. A total of nearly $1,000,000 has been raised through HuskyTHON since it was started in 2000 by UConn’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.

More than 1,600 UConn students participated this year, and all funds generated through pledges, fees, and sponsorships were donated to Connecticut Children’s.

“As the largest student-run fundraiser in the state of Connecticut, HuskyTHON is one of the most meaningful events that happens on our campus,” says UConn student Vanessa Ball, a co-executive director of the event. “After going up over $100,000 in one year, we are now ranked as one of the top 10 dance marathons in the country.”

“It’s inspiring to be a part of an event that unites the entire UConn community for one common cause, for the kids,” said Megan Gillespie, a UConn student who also served as co-executive director of the effort. “HuskyTHON Dance Marathon has truly become a UConn tradition.”

More than 25 patients and families from Connecticut Children’s Medical Center attended HuskyTHON in support of the participants. (Sarah Rawlinson/UConn Photo)
More than 25 patients and families from Connecticut Children’s Medical Center attended HuskyTHON in support of the participants. (Sarah Rawlinson/UConn Photo)

The event took place at the Field House on the Storrs campus on Feb. 18, and ran from 6 pm, Saturday to noon on Sunday. During the marathon, students were also able to meet and interact with more than 25 patients and families from Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, who attended the event in support of the participants.

“With yet another record-setting total this year, HuskyTHON has grown into the second largest fundraising event for Connecticut Children’s,” said Martin Gavin, president and CEO of Connecticut Children’s, in a news release. “We are humbled by the commitment of both the students and the University of Connecticut to help us give all children the care they deserve.”

According to Connecticut Children’s, all the funds raised from HuskyTHON are used to help support a variety of programs and purchase state-of-the-art medical equipment at the medical center.

There are more photos of HuskyTHON 2012 on the UConn Today Flickr site:

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