NYDM is a year-long effort to raise awareness and funds to help fight childhood cancer. Every fall, this effort culminates in a 12-hour dance marathon. The funds raised benefit The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, an organization which provides financial and emotional support for children and families battling pediatric cancer. In addition, the organization provides funding for pediatric cancer research with the goal of finding a way to mitigate the physical pain experienced by those living with the disease.
NYDM began as a collective movement between the Fraternity and Sorority members on NYU’s campus in September of 2012. NYU’s inaugural dance marathon, NYDM, took place on November 23, 2013, and with an original goal of $46,000, NYDM surpassed this raising $126,020.66. This became the most successful first year dance marathon in US history. NYDM’s inaugural year inspired not only the NYU Fraternity and Sorority members, but the entire NYU community.
In ten years time, we have raised over $4,500,000 for the B+ Foundation. As we embark on our eleventh year, we have set our goals high to make a difference in the lives of our Heroes and all children and families affected by pediatric cancer.
The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation
NYDM takes immense pride in its efforts to raise funds for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.
The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation honors the life and legacy of Andrew McDonough, an athlete and ‘A’ student who battled leukemia, septic shock and complications of childhood cancer for 167 days. He passed away on July 14, 2007, at the age of 14. The foundation was born as a result of his battle and Andrew’s B+ blood type became his family and friends’ motto throughout his fight against childhood cancer — to “Be Positive.”
Today, the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation stands as a prominent 501(c)3 certified nonprofit organization. Its mission encompasses extending financial and emotional aid to families with children impacted by cancer nationwide, alongside funding pivotal and innovative childhood cancer research.
For more information on The B+ Foundation and our partnership, please visit their website linked below.
Largest Provider for Families of Children Facing Childhood Cancer in the United States
The B+ Foundation, 2022 in Review
- $5+ million in family assistance
- 3,500 families of kids with cancer assisted
- $2 million in research grants
- 100s of B+ Heroes adopted by student groups
- 90+ college and high school partnerships
MEET OUR B+ HEROES
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Info and Updates
Meet the Board
Our Co-Directors
Micaela Ramos Murno & Steph Mendes
Director’s Message
Dear NYDM Community,
We are incredibly honored and grateful to accept the position of Co-Executive Directors of NYDM 2024. We are excited to lead the community in the efforts of NYDM and B+, as both significantly change the lives of children with cancer and their families. In the NYDM 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.
The New York Dance Marathon is the largest philanthropic organization at New York University. This year will be the 11th Annual NYDM and we are honored to continue to grow this organization, while raising funds and awareness for children battling childhood cancer. NYDM 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, NYDM is “kids helping kids fight cancer”. Students in the NYDM 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 this 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 NYDM 2024.
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.
Live Strong, Dance Long.
Stephanie Mendes & Micaela Ramos Murno
NYDM 2024 Co-Executive Directors
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Mercedes
Panhellenic Council