Three Teams, One Dream

Three Teams, One Dream. UF, FSU and FAU may have different team mascots and colors, but our three universities have one important thing in common, and that’s Dance Marathon. 

All three of our Dance Marathon programs raise funds to support UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital over the course of the school year and during each very special event. Our three schools also share eight Miracle Children! Nate, Powie, Ayden, Dani-Lynn, Bella, Sage, Jude and Oliver are a few of the reasons why we come together as one team. 

In the 2018-2019 school year, our schools raised a combined total of $5,688,060.86 for UF Health Shands. Of all that money raised, 42% goes to patient care, which includes necessities like patient gowns and helping fund the newly expanded pediatric infusion clinic where patients receive chemotherapy and other treatments. 48% of our funds also go to research in the hopes of finding solutions for incurable diseases like cystic fibrosis and cancer. 10% of the funds our schools raise goes to education, which includes the Child Life and Arts in Medicine programs that help children and families cope with the stress and anxiety of being in a hospital. These programs help children understand their illnesses but also provide them with support and distractions during medical procedures. 

Three Teams, One Dream takes place during the week of Thanksgiving to recognize our sincere gratitude that we have for every individual who supports our cause, from fundraisers and donors to the incredible doctors, nurses, researchers, and staff at UF Health Shands who make such amazing medical strides. UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital has been recognized as one of the best children’s hospitals in five specialty areas of cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, pulmonology, cancer, and neurology and neurosurgery for the 2019-2020 U.S. News & World Report rankings. 

We may be three separate teams, but we unite as one force for our one shared dream. We are proud to stand alongside these programs as we combine our efforts to help make UF Health Shands the premier pediatric health center in Florida.