Author: Anna Ravenelle

1. It’s the first event of its kind (in the Ivy League)

Big Red Thon is a Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon party/extravaganza running for 13.1 (representative of a half-marathon) hours this November 7th. Participants stay on their feet – dancing, playing games, chowing down – the whole time to raise money for Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse, New York. Cornell will be the first Ivy League school to take part in this nationwide fundraising effort.

2. And because we’re doing it, so is Harvard

We’re setting the standard for the Ivy League in raising money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Do you want Harvard to beat us? Do you have any school pride?

3. Registration is super easy

Simply go to the event page and hit (you guessed it) “Register.” From there, you can sign up as an individual, join a team, or create your own– whether it’s for your residence hall, sports team, club, or other organization. From there, it’s all self-explanatory.

4. And it’s only $5!

You can register for just $5 up until September 16th. Where else on campus can you get 13.1 hours of entertainment for such a small fee (which, by the way, includes an event t-shirt for the first 500 participants)? That’s right: nowhere. With performances from on-campus groups, bounce houses, and more, that registration fee pays for activities you’d have to otherwise wait all semester for.

5. It’s the best all-nighter you’ll ever pull

Someday (finals season) you’ll be comparing your worst all-nighters with your friends’ and you’ll look fondly back at your time at Big Red Thon as the best one of all. Because you know it wasn’t just to save your grade, but actually went to saving lives.

6. #50kFTK

Our goal is $50,000 For The Kids, or #50kFTK. That means all your Insta photos from the event will have the hashtag built in – no need to wrack your brain for the perfect caption.

7. You won’t need to go to the gym for the rest of the week (or month)

With 13.1 hours of nonstop dancing in one day, you’re allowed to skip the gym for the rest of the week. Your Cornell calves will probably thank you for that, but the Miracle Children we’re fundraising for will thank you most of all.

8. Put your competitive side to good use

There will be all sorts of in-event prize contests. From the team that fundraises the most to who has the most spirit, your competitive nature will be put to good use.

9. Theme Hours

Have you ever wanted to listen and dance and sing to nothing but 90’s throwbacks? Or maybe those classic Disney songs we all grew up with? At BIG RED THON, you can! Between our booked student DJ’s you probably know and theme hours that will pump you up when you’re starting to get tired, this will be one dance party you’ll never forget.

10. When else can you eat lunch at 2:00am?

Big Red Thon is going to flip your world (and daily schedule) upside-down. Lunch will be a full ten hours early – which really means you get to eat double the food that day. Sounds like a win-win to me.

11. It will change your life

You might sign up this year because your friend asked you to, or you have nothing to do that weekend, or to look good on the charity section of your resume. But when you see the Miracle Children and their families at the event, you know you’ll sign up next year because of the way their stories and this experience will grab hold of your heart.

12. Big Red Thon puts the “fun” in “fundraising”

All participants are asked to raise $50-$100 prior to the event, meaning you get to spam your friends’ and family’s Facebook feeds and inboxes from now until November! And when they ask you “Why?” you can answer with…

13. It’s for the kids.

100% of proceeds from the event go directly to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. Our $50,000 goal will go a long way in funding new research and supporting the children and families that Upstate Golisano serves. The hospital provides medical care for children in a 17-county region encompassing Upstate New York (including Ithaca!), parts of Vermont, and parts of Pennsylvania. Since its founding in 2009, it has treated over 20,000 inpatients, performed over 26,000 children’s surgeries, and treated 322,000 children in its numerous outpatient clinics. It is the only Level 1 trauma and burn unit, pediatric intensive care unit, and dedicated pediatric Emergency Department in the region. In short: the funds raised are going to a phenomenal cause that will make a true difference in the lives of many children in both our Cornell community and beyond.

How to register or donate?

Visit our event page

How to get more involved?

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram