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FTTK

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USCDM Finds Community on Forever To Thee Kids Days

Sarah August, Public Relations Staff


In recognition of its 27 years on campus, University of South Carolina Dance Marathon (USCDM) led a momentous fundraising push for about 27 hours. Starting at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26 until the following evening on Monday, Jan. 27, the organization celebrated its annual Forever To Thee Kids Days initiative. Though it looked slightly different than in past years, the message remained the same — the collective actions taken now for those who walk through the doors of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital — Midlands will impact tomorrow and the days, months and years to follow.



With less than a month until USCDM’s Main Event on Feb. 22, where more than 1,000 participants will join together to reveal the year-end total of funds raised, the organization expanded its reach. FTTK Days, in particular, focuses on engaging the greater Columbia community beyond campus to reach even more supporters. With the momentum built throughout the school year, USCDM powered its mission forward, encouraging its student base to connect with a larger audience. 


FTTK Days kicked off with members from all branches of the organization, including external teams, joining for a night of cause connection. Special guests from the Child Life Team and other hospital staff lead activities based on important functions of their daily jobs. In doing so, members of USCDM learned more about the different coping mechanisms used in the hospital. To explore music therapy, students practiced writing a song about the hospital environment and playing it to a simple tune to ease stress. One of the team’s beloved therapy dogs, Mirabelle, demonstrated her ability to calm nerves as she made her rounds.



Members also had the opportunity to guess the different scents used in anesthesia masks, a unique tool used at the hospital to improve mask acceptance. Ranging from strawberry to pina colada and even blueberry muffin, the various options give patients the freedom of choice and provide an added layer of comfort when breathing in a familiar scent. To go along with, students took part in one of the hospital’s most popular arts and crafts, spray bottle painting. As they geared up for the hours to come, members carried with them a sign of the hospital as motivation.    


The next day, USCDM returned to Greene Street for its signature tabling, where members set up booths to educate campus about the mission and invite groups to engage in activities that give a glimpse into hospital life, such as stringing together one’s own beads of courage that tell their treatment journey and blowing bubbles to introduce healthy breathing techniques. In addition to tabling, raffles and challenges took place to further encourage fundraising. 


Despite the rainy, cold weather, everyone showed up to dance and engage with fellow students, inviting them to join USCDM or make a donation, big or small. The hospital dogs were also in attendance, so donors could pet them or treat them to a pup cup, creating a fun and happy environment for everyone.



“I look forward to witnessing the results of our hard work at the end of the night and being with the entire USCDM family who worked hard to make FTTK Days happen. My time in the hospital, getting to know some of the kids and forming connections, makes me excited to see their faces at Main Event and know I had an impact,” Marisa Bencivengo, USCDM hospital staff, said.


To cap off about 27 hours of making miracles, all members of the organization, along with external teams and heroes, joined once again for “Play Like a Kid Night,” where participants gathered for one last hour of fun and fundraising. The activity night featured board games, basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, jump rope and more, allowing everyone to unleash their inner child. As the night continued, people made their final calls for donations. 


In the moments before the total amount raised throughout FTTK Days was revealed, those who brought in one last donation in the remaining minutes stamped their thumb across the Children’s Miracle Network flame to symbolize their contribution and light the way to Main Event, now just under a month away. 


“For some, this may be your last push day and Main Event if graduating in May, so I encourage those to take this time to soak it in and give it your all in these final moments. It is also probably a lot of your all’s first push day with USCDM or Main Event experience, which is just as significant because you are embarking on your journey. We are excited to have everyone here, ringing in the accomplishments we made together,” Paige Apostolico, USCDM vice president of finance, said.



The night ended on an emotional high with the number $74,979 flipped for all to see, a powerful reminder of how a community can come together to make a real difference. FTTK Days demonstrated the true power of coming together for a shared goal. From OTOD to external teams and heroes, all play a vital role in safeguarding not only the USCDM impact and legacy but the future of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital — Midlands. 



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