PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — University of Florida at St. Petersburg students held a dance marathon to raise money for Johns Hopkins All Children's Hopsital.
More than 250 schools nationwide are holding dance marathons to raise money for the children's hospital.
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Students were gliding, sliding and laughing all the way until midnight on Wednesday at USFSP. It was all for their neighbors at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
“We see them every day, we see the ambulances when we go to school. It’s not just picturing a hospital, it’s the people involved, just like we are made up of staff, faculty and students. They are made of doctors, patients and families,” said student organizer Emily Sandifer.
One of those patients is 12-year-old Marina Marasco. Despite a knee injury, nothing was going to prevent her from busting a move in support of Johns Hopkins All Children’s.
“They basically saved my life, they also just inspired me, they’ve always been so supportive,” said Marasco.
She was born with her organs outside of her body. By the age of 12, she had undergone 24 surgeries.
“She went into her first surgery at less than an hour old, being able to pay it forward is extremely important for us,” said mother Nikki Marasco.
These college students aren’t just signing up to dance, they are signing up to save lives as they raise thousands of dollars.
“It’s not only helping me, its helping all those kids that might be being born right now,” said Marasco.
The steps on display, as smooth or awkward as they appear, are all greatly appreciated.
“I think it’s actually amazing that they actually cared this much to come out and support, they don’t even know, and I think it’s really amazing and thank you,” said Marasco.
Three more dance marathons are scheduled for our area this month.
- Mar. 6 – Riverview High School, Sarasota, 3 – 9 p.m.
- Mar. 12 – LCC Day School, St. Petersburg, during the school day
- Mar. 28 – Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers, noon – 1:30 a.m.
