RebelTHON Dance Marathon Nearly Doubles Goal

This year’s RebelTHON Dance Marathon raised $112,603 or Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital.

University of Mississippi students raised $112,603 for Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital at this year’s RebelTHON, held over the weekend at the Turner Center.

The total was announced following the annual dance marathon. RebelTHON is a yearlong fundraiser for Batson Children’s Hospital, which is part of the UM Medical Center in Jackson.

Thirteen patients from the hospital were in attendance to share their stories and tell what fundraising means to them, said Maia Cotelo, an Ole Miss senior and RebelTHON executive director.

This year’s goal was to raise $60,000, but the group nearly doubled that amount.

“We are one of few schools that gets to raise money for a hospital that is directly connected to the university and this event offers the rare opportunity to meet the cause one is fundraising for,” Cotelo said. “It is a very moving experience.”

RebelTHON is a yearlong fundraiser for the children’s hospital, which is part of the UM Medical Center in Jackson.

The dance marathon serves as a celebration for all the fundraising work done throughout the year. Students involved in the fundraising since August are invited to attend the 12-hour overnight celebration with music, food and games. Participants are asked to stand, jump, dance or just keep moving for 12 hours.

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“They cannot sit down,” she said. “We are literally standing in solidarity with the patients and families of Batson. It is very difficult, but extremely fulfilling.”

The dance marathon is part of the Miracle Network Dance Marathon, a nationwide movement for college and high school students to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

“All of the money raised goes directly to Batson,” she said. “We survive on sponsorships and donations from places around town, as well as a very small budget.”

Courtesy of Christina Steube and the Ole Miss News Desk