On Thursday, Feb. 16, Michigan State University students from various student organizations gathered at I.M. Circle to participate in MSU’s Dance Marathon. This event was in support of the Cassie Hines Shoes Cancer Foundation in memory of the former MSU student. Cassie, 21, lost her four-year battle with kidney cancer on March 1,2012. Still, her legacy and spirit lives on throughout the MSU community.
The Cassie Hines Shoes Foundation raises awareness and financial support for cancer camps and support groups for young adult cancer patients ages 16-30, according to the foundations webpage.
During the Dance Marathon, students participated in games, arts and crafts and of course, dancing for 12 hours straight. Seems like an easy task, right? The catch is they were not allowed to sit down at any point.
“I didn’t realize 12 hours would be so hard to stand the whole time,” said Lexi Justice, a senior elementary and special education student. “My legs were sore by hour four and I was definitely active the whole time learning different dances, participating in dodge ball, relay races and lots of games to keep us going.”
The mental and physical challenges are meant to symbolize the obstacles faced by cancer patients and their families according to the MSU Dance Marathon webpage. By continuing to stay on their feet, they are commemorating the struggles that cancer patients go through everyday.
Right now, Penn State’s Dance Marathon is the largest student run philanthropy in the world in which they raised $12,374,034.46 this year.
“I would definitely do it again and I hope MSU can grow to make our Dance Marathon as big as Penn State’s,” said Justice.
The Cassie Hines Shoes Foundation motto.
Playing twister may have been the closest the students got to being able to sit down.
The red team in the middle of an intense round of musical chairs.
The “Inspiration Tent” was surrounded by white bed sheets where students could right down their thoughts and prayers.
Nail painting and magazine reading were provided to keep participants preoccupied.
MSU Students were standing on their feet for 12 hours straight with out a break to sit down.
Close friends and family of Cassie Hines came to support the Cassie Hines Shoes Foundation.
Students hula-hooping their way through the 12 hours.
Plenty of arts and crafts to engage in including jewelry making and koozie decorating.
The Capital Greene a Capella group gave an entertaining performance for the participates.
A casual game of “water-pong” to stay preoccupied.
On the second floor of the I.M. Circle, students could play basketball and prepare for the dodge ball tournament.
The Chi Omega/ Sigma Phi Epsilon team huddles before a game of dodge ball.
Warm hugs of support between team members.
The Cassie Hines Shoes Foundation motto.
Playing twister may have been the closest the students got to being able to sit down.
The red team in the middle of an intense round of musical chairs.
The “Inspiration Tent” was surrounded by white bed sheets where students could right down their thoughts and prayers.
Nail painting and magazine reading were provided to keep participants preoccupied.
MSU Students were standing on their feet for 12 hours straight with out a break to sit down.
Close friends and family of Cassie Hines came to support the Cassie Hines Shoes Foundation.
Students hula-hooping their way through the 12 hours.
Plenty of arts and crafts to engage in including jewelry making and koozie decorating.
The Capital Greene a Capella group gave an entertaining performance for the participates.
A casual game of “water-pong” to stay preoccupied.
On the second floor of the I.M. Circle, students could play basketball and prepare for the dodge ball tournament.
The Chi Omega/ Sigma Phi Epsilon team huddles before a game of dodge ball.
Warm hugs of support between team members.
MSU Students were standing on their feet for 12 hours straight with out a break to sit down.
Nail painting and magazine reading were provided to keep participants preoccupied.
The “Inspiration Tent” was surrounded by white bed sheets where students could right down their thoughts and prayers.
The red team in the middle of an intense round of musical chairs.
Playing twister may have been the closest the students got to being able to sit down.
Warm hugs of support between team members.
The Chi Omega/ Sigma Phi Epsilon team huddles before a game of dodge ball.
On the second floor of the I.M. Circle, students could play basketball and prepare for the dodge ball tournament.
A casual game of “water-pong” to stay preoccupied.
The Capital Greene a Capella group gave an entertaining performance for the participates.
Plenty of arts and crafts to engage in including jewelry making and koozie decorating.
Students hula-hooping their way through the 12 hours.
Close friends and family of Cassie Hines came to support the Cassie Hines Shoes Foundation.
