RaiseRED kicking off 100-day countdown with mini dance marathon

RaiseRED, UofL's largest student-run philanthropic organization, kicks off its 100 Days Celebration next week, with a three-hour mini dance marathon. 

The event, Thursday, Nov. 16 from 6-9 p.m. in Bigelow Hall, marks the 100-day countdown until the annual RaiseRED 18-hour dance marathon that raises awareness and funding for the children, families and doctors fighting pediatric cancer and blood disease at UofL. Last year, more than 1,100 students raised $459,000. This year's goal, for the fifth annual event, is $550,000.

Thursday's event is meant to "raise awareness and get people hyped," for raiseRED 2018, said Brigid Meagher, a psychology major and marketing coordinator for the event. 

The 100 Days Celebration is open to any who wish to attend, she said, and admission is free but donations are encouraged. The goal is to raise $5,000 in one day. Students will play games with children from UofL's pediatric oncology and hematology clinic. Griff's is catering and UofL basketball Hall of Famer Darrell Griffith promises to be on hand. 

More than 100 students work year round on fundraising for RaiseRED, Meagher said.

"Childhood cancer is nothing anyone should ever have to deal with," she said. "Kids should be able to focus on growing up, not worrying about whether they'll get to celebrate another birthday or not. This is something I’ve found a lot of passion in. It keeps me going to see the direct impact this organization has."