RebelTHON Raises Over $170,000 For Blair E. Batson Hospital

From 3 p.m. Saturday until 3 a.m. Sunday Ole Miss students “danced for those who can’t” in the Turner Center as part of the fifth annual RebelTHON.

The 12-hour dance marathon was a day full of celebration. It began with students coming together to dance for a cause and ended with the exciting news of the total amount raised for the Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson.
Last year, RebelTHON raised over $150,000, and this year they raised $172,169.22.
Emily Fagan, a junior at the university, has been involved with RebelTHON for the past two years and now serves as the director of entertainment.
“Our biggest motivation is the kids,” Fagan said. “It gives me chills to know in a room full of 20 of my peers that at least one of our children will face childhood cancer. My motivation is to keep raising money so the number turns into zero children facing cancer.”
The families of Batson Children’s Hospital were the main focus of the marathon. At the top of every hour, a family would talk in detail about their child’s condition and their experience with the hospital.
“It is an awesome feeling to know you are doing something so important for the kids but getting to know them on a personal level makes it an even better experience,” said Julia Tielke, a junior Ole Miss student.
To help keep the participants on their feet, the event consisted of Oxford food, live entertainment and lots of dancing.
The band 7 South and DJ Grover rocked the night away. Kendrick Wallace from Hip Hop Rebs and Keri Meagher from Align Body also kept the crowd moving with choreographed dances.
A fun surprise for the students was the kids’fashion show, where Blair E. Batson’s kids were paired with Ole Miss cheerleaders and football players. The kids dressed as the athletes and walked the runway.

By Emily Shcrimsher, an intern for HottyToddy.com and a student of the Meek School of Journalism and New Media. She can be reached at easchrim@go.olemiss.edu. 
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