LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a matter of days, hundreds of University of Louisville students will converge in a ballroom and dance for eighteen hours. 

What You Need To Know

  •  raiseRED is a dance marathon raising money for cancer research and assistance

  •  This is the 10th year for the event

  •  The marathon begins Friday, Feb. 24 and goes through Saturday, Feb. 25

  • In the decade, raiseRED has brought in more than $4 million

raiseRED, UofL’s largest student-run philanthropy takes place Friday, Feb. 24 and runs through Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Swain Student Activities Center Ballroom.

raiseRed has brought in over $4.1 million for pediatric cancer and blood disorders research and patient support since 2013. The event is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

raiseRED Executive Director Valerie Tran, a senior majoring in industrial engineering, said, “raiseRED is a year-long effort to help children with cancer and blood disorders in the Louisville area, and I’m so humbled to see the courage these kids show.” Tran added, “I know what we are doing and the funds we raise can make a difference in the lives of these children and their families every day.”

The dance marathon benefits UofL’s Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and Norton Children’s Cancer Institute outpatient clinic. Diehard dancers raise a minimum of $200 per person to take part, many raise even more money.

raiseRED begins at 6 p.m. Friday and ends with the grand total being announced during at the Community Celebration from 10:30 a.m. until noon on Feb. 25.

It takes more than good music to keep the dancers moving for that long. There are several events to help keep spirits high and eyes open. Some of the special events are:  

  • Buzz for the Cure: A long-standing raiseRED tradition, students pledge to shave their head, or do a major chop, during the dance marathon if they reach their fundraising goal.

  • Angel Hour: The people in participants’ lives who have been affected by cancer and blood disorders are recognized and remembered. 

  • Mail Call: Letters of support from participants’ loved ones are read to cheer them on.

  • Neon Silent Disco: The speaker system goes silent and participants wear headphones to dance to music only they can hear.

  • And new this year: The Hypnotic Experience. Hypnotist ‘TG’ Rivers will tap participants to be hypnotized to entertain the crowd.

For information and to donate, visit the raiseRED website. 

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