Kent State University students Abby Myers (left) and
Andy Lovrak (right) pose for a photo with cancer
survivors Jacob Sypert, age 11, and Adelyn Smith, age 6,
in the playroom of the Reinberger Center at Akron
Children’s Hospital.

Kent State University’s Flash-A-Thon, a 12-hour dance marathon to raise funds for young patients at Akron Children’s Hospital, will take place on Saturday, April 25, from noon to midnight at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. The dance marathon celebrates the university’s local and global impact and is one of several events marking Kent State’s Presidential Inauguration Week.

Participation in Flash-A-Thon is open to all members of the Kent State community and the public. Kent State faculty and staff can support this great cause in three different ways: Dance or volunteer, sponsor an individual or team, or donate.

Last year, Kent State’s Flash-A-Thon raised more than $22,000 for Akron Children’s Hospital. A team of Kent State students produced a dance video that features young patients, their families, Kent State students and hospital staff lip-synching to One Republic’s hit song, “I Lived.” The video has more than 25,000 views. This year, the goal is to raise $30,000.

“I want them to understand how much these kids are fighting every day,” says Andy Lovrak, Kent State senior advertising major who was involved in creating the video. “It can be so hard, but they’re so happy and they’re fighters. That’s how we should live, and it’s so inspiring to see them.”

Click here to register to dance, sponsor a dancer or dance team, or to donate to support young patients at Akron Children’s Hospital.

For more information about Kent State’s Flash-A-Thon, visit www.kent.edu/oeece/flashathon.