Don't Be a Baby, Keep On Dancin'

Photo Courtesy of UCI Student Alumni Association

By the end of the third hour of the six hour dance marathon, people began to lower their bodies to the floor to take even a second of rest from standing for so long.

“Stand up, you guys! It’s a dance marathon, remember? We’re doing this for the babies,” said a staff member of the Student Alumni Association wearing a giant baby costume.

On Thursday night, February 25th, dozens of students, alumni, faculty, and community members piled into the Pacific Ballroom at Student Center to dance for six hours straight in order to fundraise and spread awareness for the premature babies being kept in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU, at the UCI Medical Center.

Sponsored by an abundance of organizations and companies, the annual dance marathon is always held for six hours because the first six hours of a premature baby’s life is the most important and decides if the baby gets to live. This year, donors and sponsors were able to raise $30,293, surpassing last year’s total of $25,449. All proceeds raised either through the online website or by donating at the SAA booth on campus were donated to support stem cell research to find a cure for chronic lung disease in premature babies.

Photo Courtesy of UCI Student Alumni Association

The Gilles Family, from Irvine, spoke at the event on behalf of the care unit, thanking everyone who showed up for the support. The mother, Susie Gilles, explained that her triplets were premature babies all in the NICU seven years ago. “It’s important that we fundraise for a cause like this,” Gilles said. “My three boys had to endure multiple medical treatments such as abdominal and heart surgeries, so this fundraiser means a lot to us.”

The NICU hits home for staff members on the Social Alumni Association too, especially for second year and Social Media Manager for SAA Jaileen Gutierrez. “I was a premature baby myself, and I know that it’s so scary for the parent to see their baby confined to a hospital for its first weeks or months of life,” she said. “I think this fundraiser acts hope for the families who are too familiar with the NICU.”

Not only did the Care-a-thon provide music all night long for its donors and sponsors, the event included fun booths such as caricature drawings, balloon animal hats, a photo booth, face paintings, and multiple raffle drawings. Performances included routines from three UCI undergraduate dance teams—INSA, Urban Motus, and MCIA, a live musical performance from singer-songwriter and YouTube phenomenon Leroy Sanchez and a hip-hop dance workshop held by two UCI students.

Photo Courtesy of UCI Student Alumni Association

“I came out to support my friends on INSA, but this whole event seems really interesting,” said Patrick Galicia, a second year student at UCI. “It’s cool to see an organization fundraising for this type of cause, since I don’t think it’s very well-known.” The crowd roared with cheers as each dance team came on to perform; names of dance members were even being called out throughout all three performances. Smiles were plastered upon the face of every dancer as they saw how many people were there to support them.

Photo Courtesy of Caitlin Ison

During the lull period when there weren’t any performances or speakers, food and refreshments were offered to keep the night upbeat. The night immediately picked up as soon as Leroy Sanchez, a singer-songwriter predominantly known for his covers of pop songs on YouTube, hit the stage. Participants rushed towards the stage as the young Spanish singer walked up to his mic with Corey Rupp, his friend who plays guitar with him during his performances. Screams of young ladies filled the air as Sanchez sang multiple covers of artists ranging from Adele to Justin Bieber, as well as a couple original songs he has written himself. After the performance, the artist held a photo-op for those who bought a meet and greet ticket, which proceeds contributed to the fundraiser, too.

“When I heard about this event, I was shocked that they were able to get Leroy Sanchez to perform,” said an excited second year Wing Ung, after meeting the singer. “I’ve seen so many of his videos and I think his voice is so natural and amazing. He was also super sweet as well!”

Although many people were simply standing or swaying to the beat of the music rather than dancing throughout the night, the energy was kept with the sounds and mixes played by DJ Nathan Magtoto. The night was filled with a positive vibe, coming from everyone who came out to support a great cause and to have a good time. As the night came to a close, raffle winners were announced, thanks were being given, and donators trickled out the door of the ballroom. The SAA is already planning next year’s Care-a-thon, and hopes to surpass their total from the prior year once again.