DANCE MARATHON

Hello all!!

So here’s the scoop: President’s day weekend 2010 my brother Patrick and I (along with the rest of our team and hundreds more) will be participating in UCLA’s annual charity event, DANCE MARATHON (DM). DM is exactly what it sounds like, as crazy as it sounds. We have pledged to dance (or at least remain standing) for twenty-six hours straight, taking a physical stand against HIV/AIDS infections worldwide. Every day more than 1350 children die from AIDS related illnesses, and countless more are affected by it, but this disease is entirely preventable and treatable. There is a drug, Nevirapine, which when given to both mother and child, reduces risk of transmission of HIV to only 2%. It costs $8. DM raises money to benefit benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), the world?s leading organization that seeks to halt pediatric HIV infection, as well as Camp Kindle and OneHeartland, two non-profits which sponsor cost-free camps for children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. DM has raised nearly $1.8 million to date.

DM has been a huge event at UCLA for 8 years, and one of my best friends is one of the vice-executive-very-important-person-people on the organizing committee this year.  So Patrick and I are joining in. We are taking a stand against HIV/AIDS and we will stand, for twenty-six straight hours, February 13 and 14th, 2010. And we want you to help us.

As dancers we have each pledged to raise at least $208 to help these charities. We would greatly appreciate a sponsorship donation of any size to assist us in reaching our fundraising goal. All donations are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to <Dance Marathon at UCLA> and include one of our names on the memo line. You may also make online donations at our personal, secure, fundraising website at the link below.

We are so excited to have the opportunity to make a difference across the world and your donation will change the lives of many. Please feel free to contact either of us with any questions. Thank you so much for your generosity.

Peace and Love,

Erin and Patrick

Patrick’s donation page: http://dm.kintera.org/patrickallmann

Erin’s donation page: http://dm.kintera.org/erinallmann

**(much of this information came directly from the Dance Marathon webpage. To learn more about Dance marathon or its beneficiaries, please visit their website at www.bruindancemarathon.org.)