What is UCI Care-a-thon?

UCI Care-a-thon is a student-run philanthropy at UC Irvine that raises funds to directly benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at UCI's Douglas Hospital. The event is a 6-hour long dance party with music, live performances, food, and free stuff! The only rule is that you can't sit down!

When is UCI Care-a-thon?
Thursday, February 23, 2012 in the UCI Student Center on campus, from 6pm to midnight.

Why should I participate in UCI Care-a-thon?
UCI Care-a-thon is a great way to get involved with the campus and do something that matters. The money you raise and your involvement in UCI Care-a-thon also are a great addition to your resume, but most importantly, it's fun!

But isn’t $25 too much to ask students to pay?

Actually, we’re asking you NOT to pay anything at all! Care-a-thon is not about “buying” a ticket to a party, it’s about raising awareness and funds for an important cause with your family and friends. Once they hear about how important it is to care for babies in crisis, we are confident that they will chip in to help you reach your fundraising goal. Don’t be afraid to ask the people in your community for donations. Most of them will be very happy for the opportunity to help!  Remember, all it takes is 5 people – your mom, your uncle, your boss, your sibling, your friend – to donate $5 each, and you’re in! 

How can I raise the money?
This is probably the most frequent concern for potential dancers, but don't worry! The UCI Care-a-thon committee is here to help. On this site, you will be able to find resources such as corporate sponsorship packets, a sample solicitation letter for businesses and friends, in addition to a secure web site that allows easy credit card donations. You also will have your own personal web page and web address to send to family and friends and post on Facebook to help with your fundraising efforts.

If you still find yourself having trouble reaching $25, we put on numerous fundraising events and opportunities throughout the year leading up to Care-a-thon. It is completely doable and many of our dancers will raise much, much more!

What exactly does UCI Care-a-thon accomplish?
UCI is a 6-hour long event with dancers that each raise a minimum of $25 in order to participate. All proceeds will be going to the UC Irvine's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Orange County's only NICU, and southern California's premiere center for delivering at-risk pregnancies.

What's a NICU?
NICU is an acronym for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This unit is specially designed to assist with the delivery and care of at-risk pregnancies and complications that may arise during the procedures. NICU's play a critical role throughout the country as 1 in every 10 newborns require NICU care.

What is special about UCI's NICU?
UC Irvine's innovative, multidisciplinary neonatal program is Orange County's only service that combines specialists in high-risk obstetrics with experts in newborn care and has produced some of the nation's best outcomes for complicated pregnancies. Also, UC Irvine Medical Center's NICU is southern California's premiere neonatal care center, and Orange County's only combined level three perinatal and neonatal program to manage high-risk pregnancies or at-risk fetuses. As a teaching hospital, UCI's Douglas Hospital trains doctors and nurses who go on to work at and run NICU's across the country. As a research hospital, UCI's NICU not only trains, but provides medical and technological advancements, for NICU's worldwide.

Cool, but as a dancer what is expected of me?
As a dancer, you pledge to raise at least $25 (but feel free to raise more) to aid the cause of helping at-risk newborns and families and promote this cause to your friends, family and community. But, perhaps the biggest expectation is to dance the whole 6 hours!

But what can my $25 possibly do?
The success of this event is not measured in dollars raised, but students involved. Our goal is to raise as much awareness as possible and your $25 dollar donation coupled with the hundreds of other students participating will make a huge impact!

What do I have to do to become a dancer?
Register online! Our web site will walk you through the short registration process. You must have a valid UCINetID to register. Once you've registered, you will be given your own UCI Care-a-thon web page to help you reach your fundraising goal.

Can I participate in UCI Care-a-thon even if I am not a UCI student?
Presently, UCI Care-a-thon is only allowing current UCI students and alumni participate in the event, however, feel free to partake in the donation and campaign efforts!

Will there be food at the event?
Yes! There will be meals, snacks and refreshments provided for all dancers throughout the duration of the event, provided at no cost to the dancers.

Where can I get additional questions answered?
Look on this Web site for the list of all UCI Care-a-thon Committee members and please feel free to contact any of them with any of your questions!