BuckeyeThon 2016

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In just a few weeks, a number of students from the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership will participate in BuckeyeThon’s 24 hour dance marathon.

BuckeyeThon members, Ohio State students, faculty/staff, and the community of Columbus residents participate in events throughout the year which culminate in a Dance Marathon to both monetarily and emotionally support our BuckeyeThon families. Through BuckeyeThon, Ohio State students have the opportunity to Pay It Forward and to change forever the lives of kids fighting cancer.

BuckeyeThon’s Dance Marathon is an annual celebration of the fundraising that Ohio State has done for the year in support of Nationwide Children’s Hospital. OSU’s dance marathon is the largest dance marathon in the country, with over 5,000 students registered last year who raised $1.23 million For The Kids. Over the past 14 years, BuckeyeThon has raised over $3.7 million in total.

Like the Dance Marathon’s name suggests, there will be lots of dancing as we celebrate the lives of children everywhere. We wish the ACEL dancers, including all members of Agricultural Education Society, the best as they boogey, nae nae and dab the night away!

You can support these dancers fundraising goal by clicking on the link at the end of their summaries.

 

Summer McCracken
Growing up in a large extended family, I have always loved being around little kids. Children are naive, innocent, and happy. They do not deserve to be deathly ill nor do their family members. Unfortunately, every day 43 children develop cancer or other life-threatening diseases. I dance to put an end to pediatric cancer. I dance to give others hope. I dance to make a difference.

In February, I will be participating in my first ever BuckeyeThon with the Agricultural Education Society! BuckeyeThon raises money and awareness for the Columbus’s Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Nationwide Children’s treats all kids, regardless of their ability to pay. Show your support and remember it’s for the kids! #FTK Donate to Summer’s goal.

Summer McCracken

Summer McCracken

 

Abbey Van Tyne
I am participating in Buckeyethon for the second year in a row and am beyond thrilled to be a part in the inspiring task of beating pediatric cancer!  When I attended Buckeyethon for the first time last year, my heart was touched in several different ways.  I met several of the kids while at the dance marathon and the way they constantly held their heads up high without a doubt in the world; you’d think that they were the most mature kids you’ve ever met.  Every kid deserves to be a buckeye, and if I can contribute in any way toward that cause then I will consider any amount of money that I raise to be a success. Donate to Abbey’s goal.

Abbey and Hayley particpated in BuckeyeThon 2015.

Abbey and Hayley particpated in BuckeyeThon 2015.


Laura Baird
As a first year student, I had never heard of BuckeyeThon before. After hearing about this event in one of my club meetings, I knew that I wanted to participate in order to give back to those who are struggling with cancer and their families. I am very fond of the university and all of the service projects that we participate in, so I wanted to play my part in the largest student-ran philanthropy in the state of Ohio and help the patients at Nationwide Children’s Hospital! Ag Ed. Society and ACT (Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow), which is the student organization that I am involved in, have joined together to form a team for this event. I will be participating in BuckeyeThon with this team and am very excited for my shift, which is from 11:00am-11:00pm. For more information on this event, I have attached a link that tells you about BuckeyeThon and the ways in which you can also get involved. Thank you! Donate to Laura’s goal.

Laura Baird

Laura Baird

 

Francis Nicol
I am thrilled to be participating in Buckeyethon this February for the first time! I will be dancing with my fellow Agricultural Education Society members this year. There are many reasons why I am choosing to donate to this philantrophy. One is that Buckeyethon has grown to be yet another of all the traditions here at Ohio State and what better way to celebrate being a Buckeye than by dancing with and for the kids of Children’s Hospital! Another reason is that I myself was a patient at Columbus Children’s when I was a baby and while I did not have cancer like many of these children in the Hematology/Oncology Unit do, I am still thankful to be alive and well and to be able to dance for all the kids that are still fighting today. I look forward to meeting the patients and spend time with them and lift their spirits this February. Donate to Francis’ goal.

Francis Nicol

Francis Nicol

Carley Snider
In February 2016, I’ll be participating in my first Buckeyethon Dance Marathon! I consider it an honor to participate in this exciting event and put forth efforts to raise funds and awareness for Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the children and families it serves. When I was little, I remember dancing and singing with my mom and sister all the time. Some of my favorite childhood memories are the crazy “jam sessions” we’d have in the car on our way home from school. I really cherish those memories and am so saddened that there are children who don’t have the opportunity to create a memory like that because instead they’re undergoing treatments for pediatric cancer. I’m dancing because others can’t. I’m dancing because every kid deserves their own “jam session.” I’m dancing For The Kids. Support Carley’s fundraising efforts.

Carley Snider

Carley Snider

 

Abby Motter
I am dancing in Buckeyethon 2016 because of the kids who don’t get to experience the skinned-up knee, mud pie, catching fireflies childhood I remember. The word “cancer” or “life threatening disease” is terrifying, but the children who are battling for their health always seem to have a smile. They are full of courage, and don’t take the gift of living for granted. Last year I had the opportunity to visit Nationwide Children’s Hospital and see their dedication and passion for providing children with the best care, and greatest support system available. A hospital may seem like a scary place, but they work to make it as cheerful and comforting as possible. Within our communities there are families who are battling with childhood illness. I met Mr. Locke when he was volunteering at FFA Camp, I soon learned  that his son Quenten, was struggling with cancer; while visiting the hospital I happened to meet Quenten. This was impactful for me because childhood cancer wasn’t just something I heard about anymore, I actually knew someone who was fighting the battle to get better. It gave more meaning to the fundraising for Nationwide Children’s Hospital at FFA Camp, and fueled my desire to become involved with Buckeyethon. I want to help provide kids like Quenten with the resources needed to have a short, positive, and accommodating stay in the hospital, and live a long and healthy life. I want these kids to grow up and have the opportunity to chase their dreams, and if they choose, attend The Ohio State University. I can’t wait to dance with the Agricultural Education Society! I’m looking forward to an event filled with compassion, empathy, and purpose. I can’t wait to see Ohio State join together in a cause and make a difference for families who are dealing with a childhood illness. Donate to Abby’s fundraising goal.

Abby Motter and Brutus Buckeye

Abby Motter and Brutus Buckeye

 

You can visit the pages of additional Agricultural Education Society members and read about why they are participating in BuckeyeThon 2016!