DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Dear UDance Community,

We are incredibly honored and grateful to accept the position of Co-Executive Directors of UDance 2025. We are excited to lead the community in the efforts of UDance and B+, as both significantly change the lives of children with cancer and their families. In the UDance community we strive to “Be Positive” and “Live Like Andrew” in everything we do, in efforts of one day finding a cure for childhood cancer.

UDance Dance Marathon is the largest philanthropic organization at the University of Delaware. This year will be the 19th Annual UDance and we are honored to continue to grow this organization, while raising funds and awareness for children battling childhood cancer. UDance and The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation work closely to provide both emotional and financial assistance to families affected by childhood cancer. As an organization and a University, we have provided hope, support and memories to a multitude of families across the country.

Essentially, UDance is “kids helping kids fight cancer”. Students in the UDance community dedicate their time to creating a better world by dancing for those who can’t.  Those involved are determined to remind families and their children that there are people who deeply care about them during the hardships that childhood cancer has brought into their lives.  The B+ Foundation also allocates a portion of funds raised to cutting-edge research to change the framework of childhood cancer.

Through our years as an organization on campus, we have first seen the effect students have and their power to change lives. We are extremely honored and excited to spend our last year on campus in such an amazing organization, surrounded by those who have the same passions and dedication that we do. The community has truly embodied what it means to “Be Positive” and we cannot wait to see the difference that is made this year through UDance 2025.

We dance to honor the children who have to spend hours, days, and years in the hospital fighting for their lives. We dance because no one should spend their childhood in a hospital and not outside playing. We dance for our B+ Heroes and the relationships they form with their paired organizations. We dance for Andrew and for all the kids who never got the chance to have a happy and healthy childhood like they deserve. We dance for the parents who have lost their children and have to face that everyday. We dance for siblings because they also lose their childhood at the wake of their siblings' diagnosis. We dance as a support system for families going through the toughest battles of their lives. We dance until every child gets to play. We dance through every season because as seasons change, lives change. We all dance for different reasons, and we hope that you will join us and find your own reason to dance and make a difference. Because of you, we are one step closer to a world without childhood cancer, and one step closer to changing the lives of children and families affected. One day we will dance in celebration, but until then, we dance for a cure.

FOR A SMILE. FOR A LIFE. FOR A CURE

Gianna Richason and Will Ryan

UDance 2025 Co-Executive Directors