HAMDEN, Conn. — Months of fundraising reached a pinnacle last Saturday during a six-hour dancing marathon at the Recreation Center that raised $140,997.49 for children and families who count on the life-saving care provided by Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
According to the school, QTHON, the school’s largest student-run organization, organized the March 23 event from noon to 6 p.m.
QTHON has raised more than $1.6 million since 2011 to help fund treatments, resources and healthcare services for the children and families that the medical center serves, the article said.
More than 1,250 people affiliated with the school helped QTHON raise nearly $40,000 more than last year, simultaneously marking the highest number of participants they have had since 2019, Erin Gallacher, manager for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Programs and Peer-to-Peer fundraising, said.
“We’re just really grateful for all of the organizations that are taking their Saturday to be here, showing their skills with all of the dance performances, and showing their kindness to the children and their families — and their determination to raise a lot of money for Connecticut Children’s and the Greatest Need Children’s Fund,” Gallacher said.
The medical center is the only free-standing pediatric hospital in the state that provides life-saving care to local children, and the money raised helps supply the facility with resources necessary for the patient and family care it offers.
The Greatest Need Children’s Fund assists the medical center with purchasing specialty equipment, funding patient support and research, and helping to attract and retain world-renowned physicians, the website said.
Care recipient Ella Botts and her family, the 2024 Miracle Network Hospitals Champion Family, have attended the dance marathon for many years. Charles Botts, Ella’s father, told Quinnipiac Today that QTHON is fantastic because it is a demonstration of commitment and investment coming from a smaller, private school.
“It’s something that the kids look forward to because they are treated like superstars, and the students here are so warm and so welcoming. So, it’s one of the highlights of the year for us, and being here as the Champion Family this year makes it that much more special,” Charles Botts said on the school's website.
QTHON Executive Director Emma Conklin, Class of 2024, told Quinnipiac Today that QTHON started working on the event as soon as it transitioned to its new board last May. She said the group designed a plan that helped it recruit more people affiliated with the university.
Conklin took the opportunity to thank all those who came out to perform as groups and dance for hours last Saturday.
“The performance groups are so amazing and bring so much energy to our program. Just seeing everyone having so much fun after everything you’ve planned all year is so worth it,” Conklin told Quinnipiac Today.
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
