About Dance Marathon
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I register?
- Do I have to pay to register?
- Why should I sign up to dance? Why would I want to dance for 12 hours?
- There is no way I can dance for 12 hours. Do I have to dance the entire time?
- What happens if I register as a Dancer but don’t raise $75? Can I still participate?
- Can I register as part of a team?
- How do I go about raising $75 and up?
- How exactly do people sponsor me?
- What do I need to bring to the event?
- How will I get more information?
- Can guests come?
- How can I request special accommodation?
- Does EGPAF benefit children globally or just nationally?
- Why is the event called Dance Marathon “World Premiere”?
- Who is putting on this event?
Q: How do I register?
A: You must register for Dance Marathon in advance! There are two ways to do this:
1) Simply visit our online , where you will be asked to fill out your personal information and asked to pay your registration fee with a credit card. You will also be asked to indicate your fundraising goal (which must have a minimum of $75 raised to be eligible for fundraiser ).
2) Register by a through your RA, fraternity, sorority, at the Dance Marathon table on Sproul, or at the front desk on the 2nd floor of Eshleman Hall.
Q: Do I have to pay to register?
A: Yes, you must pay to register. Register early for just $5! Beginning on March 21, the registration fee goes up to $7.
Q: Why should I sign up to dance? Why would I want to dance for 12 hours?
A: Did you know that more than 1900 children are infected with HIV each day? That about 1350 children die from AIDS every day? And that over 13 million children have been orphaned by the epidemic since it began? The AIDS pandemic is THE issue of our generation. It’s our civil rights movement; it’s our Holocaust. Right now, you may not be able to work in a lab researching the virus or hand out anti-retroviral drugs to children in South Africa, but you can help fundraise to get money to the people who ARE doing this. It all starts with signing up to dance.
Q: There is no way I can dance for 12 hours. Do I have to dance the entire time?
A: No, you don't have to dance the entire time! There are guest speakers, live performances, food, games, activities, and more to re-direct your attention and make time move much faster. We encourage you to remain on your feet the whole time, and you will be surrounded by enthusiastic friends and supporters who will keep you going!
Q: What happens if I register as a Dancer but don’t raise $75? Can I still participate?
A: Yes. While we strongly encourage you to raise at least $75, we still want you to come even if you don’t raise that much. But keep in mind two things: 1) Every dollar that you raise matters to a child somewhere, and 2) If you don’t reach the $75 minimum, you won’t be eligible for the fundraiser .
Q: Can I register as part of a team?
A: Yes! You and your friends may form as large a team as you want. Simply click "Register Now!" on the home page and follow the instructions.
Q: How do I go about raising $75 and up?
A: Ask people you know who care about making a difference!
*Ask family members to sponsor you for $10
*Sponsor yourself for $5
*Ask co-workers to sponsor you for $5
*Ask your roommates to sponsor you for $5.
Remember, $75 is only the minimum! Before you can say "Let's beat AIDS!", you will have raised $75 and then some! Visit the page for more detailed advice!
Q: How exactly do people sponsor me?
A: When you register, a personal donation page will be created for you. This page will keep track of all the donations made in your name. People wishing to sponsor you will go to our homepage, dancemarathon.berkeley.edu and click “Donate Now.” They will select your name from a list and will then be directed to a secure site to donate by credit card. While these pages are secure, if your donors prefer, they may sponsor you by sending a check to: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Dept. #0096, Washington DC 20055. Make checks out to the "Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation." Donations by check will be added to your online tally as soon as they are received, helping you reach the $75 fundraising goal. However, remember to tell your sponsors to write your name and "Berkeley DM" in the memo section of the check.
Q: What do I need to bring to the event?
A: Not much! We'll provide you with an official t-shirt, dinner, breakfast, desserts, snacks, and drinks. Some dancers like to bring a change of clothes, a camera, and deodorant. Each dancer will receive a bag that they can store their belongings in during the night.
Q: How will I get more information?
Q: Can guests come?
A: All current UC Berkeley students are invited to register as Dancers. If you want your friends to come with you, form a team! People who are not current students at UC Berkeley may be admitted on a case-by-case basis, but they still must register. Please e-mail us for more information.
Q: How can I request special accommodation?
Q: Does EGPAF benefit children globally or just nationally?
A: The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) helps children both in the US and abroad. EGPAF has been rated by the American Institute of Philanthropy, a national nonprofit evaluator, as an A-, meaning that they give over 90% of their total income to their cause. That money is put into action and prevention. EGPAF’s funds go to national HIV/AIDS research, aiming to prevent new infections and develop a preventative vaccine, and fund children’s hospitals throughout the country, including Children’s Hospital Oakland and UCSF. Not only does the foundation fuel medical research, but it also incites public action by writing and pushing policy through Congress. In other parts of the world, EGPAF takes urgent action to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV through counseling, testing, and preventative treatments. EGPAF also works to bring HIV/AIDS treatment to low-income people in the developing world.
Q: Why is the event called Dance Marathon “World Premiere”?
A: The theme of the event is "World Premiere." This means that the music and decor will reflect this Hollywood theme. If you'd like, you can dress up as your favorite film character – or you characters! You will have a box to store your extra clothing and other personal belongings.
