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UCLA’s pediatric AIDS Coalition Hosts 24th annual Dance Marathon for an AIDS-Free Generation
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- UCLA’s pediatric AIDS Coalition Hosts 24th annual Dance Marathon for an AIDS-Free Generation
Published: March 16, 2025
The Ackerman Grand Ballroom at UCLA was transformed into a vibrant hub as the Pediatric AIDS Coalition (PAC) launched its 24th annual Dance Marathon.The 10-hour event, which began at 2 p.m., aims to raise funds and awareness in the fight for an AIDS-free generation and to destigmatize HIV/AIDS. Featuring 44 teams and approximately 390 participants, the Dance Marathon promises a blend of entertainment, education, and philanthropy.
The annual Dance Marathon is a cornerstone event for PAC, bringing together students, faculty, and community members to support a crucial cause. This year’s marathon includes games,performances,food,raffles,and plenty of dancing. Participants are divided into five teams—Team Red,Green,Blue,Purple,or Pink—each led by a PAC captain who guides them through color wars,games,and the marathon’s high-energy activities.
The funds raised during the Dance Marathon will benefit three key organizations: the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS foundation, the UCLA AIDS Institute, and The Laurel Foundation. These beneficiaries provide critical resources and support for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS.
A Tradition of Impact and Awareness
Rowan Kruger, a fourth-year public affairs student and PAC public Relations Director, emphasized the significance of the event. It’s a way to be involved in one of UCLA’s biggest traditions, and it’s all for a cause,
Kruger said, highlighting the dual purpose of community engagement and charitable giving.
Sasha avakyan, a fourth-year molecular, cell, and developmental biology student and PAC President, noted the logistical improvements made over time to directly support beneficiaries and rebuild club visibility post-COVID. Avakyan expressed hope that the Dance Marathon would increase awareness of PAC’s mission on campus. Finally garnering enough recognition on campus where peopel are both aware of and excited for the Dance Marathon,
avakyan said, underscoring the event’s growing impact.
Around the ballroom, booths offered a mix of fun activities and educational resources. Trifolds displayed the direct impact of different donation amounts, illustrating how even small contributions can make a significant difference. For instance, a $12 donation provides one month of care and treatment for a child living with HIV. An interactive poster invited participants to share their reasons for dancing, with responses emphasizing the importance of ending stigma, advocating for an AIDS-free generation, and fundraising for affected children.
This year’s marathon was shortened to 10 hours, compared to 13 hours last year and 19 hours the year before. Avakyan explained that PAC prioritized creating a strong and meaningful experience over a longer duration. the 10-hour commitment is still somthing that makes people reflect on their sacrifice,
Avakyan said.
Community Support and Entertainment
Forty minutes into the event, the ballroom began to fill with PAC members and other students eager to support the cause. Alice Chiang, a fourth-year education and social transformations student, said she had heard about Dance marathon last year and wanted to attend to support a good cause. Isaac Balderas, a first-year public health student, echoed this sentiment, stating that he couldn’t miss the chance to check it out.
The Cadence, one of 10 bands scheduled to perform, took the stage at 2:30 p.m., energizing the crowd with pop mashups spanning different decades. the band consists of guitarist and lead vocalist Pete Nguyen, keyboardist and rhythm guitarist billy Vu Lam, bassist Nam Tran, and drummer Tom Broderick. For the UCLA alumni in the band,performing in Ackerman felt like a nostalgic homecoming.
Tran emphasized the importance of PAC’s mission, while Nguyen expressed the band’s commitment to combating chronic disease in children. It’s an amazing cause and opportunity to be here to motivate the dancers and get them energized,
Tran said. They give us energy and we give it right back. I know they have a long way to go.
Looking Ahead
The Pediatric AIDS coalition’s 24th annual Dance Marathon at UCLA is more than just a dance party; it’s a powerful presentation of community, compassion, and commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS. By bringing together students, faculty, and community members, PAC is not only raising crucial funds for its beneficiaries but also raising awareness and fostering a culture of support and understanding.
With ongoing efforts to maximize the event’s impact and engage participants, the Dance Marathon continues to be a vital force in the fight for an AIDS-free generation. The dedication of PAC members, the enthusiasm of the dancers, and the generosity of donors all contribute to making this event a resounding success year after year.
UCLA Dance Marathon: A Generation’s Fight Against HIV/AIDS
did you know that a seemingly simple dance marathon can raise significant funds and awareness in the global fight against HIV/AIDS? This is precisely what UCLA’s Pediatric AIDS Coalition achieves year after year.
Interviewer: Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading expert in global health and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, welcome to World Today News.Yoru extensive work on HIV/AIDS prevention and community engagement makes you uniquely qualified to discuss the significance of events like UCLA’s Dance Marathon. Can you shed light on the broader impact of such initiatives?
Dr. Sharma: Thank you for having me. The UCLA Dance Marathon, and similar events globally, are incredibly critically critically important facets of the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS. These initiatives serve a dual purpose: raising crucial funds for research, treatment, and support services for those affected by HIV/AIDS, while also considerably impacting HIV/AIDS awareness and education efforts. They’re a powerful demonstration of the combined power of community engagement and charitable giving. The event’s success highlights the importance not only of large-scale funding but also the grassroots mobilization that can considerably impact health outcomes.
the Power of Community Engagement in combating HIV/AIDS
Interviewer: The article mentions that the Dance Marathon benefits organizations like the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the UCLA AIDS Institute. How crucial are these organizations in addressing the ongoing challenges surrounding pediatric HIV/AIDS?
Dr. Sharma: Organizations like the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS foundation and the UCLA AIDS Institute are absolutely vital. They are at the forefront of research into new prevention methods, developing effective treatments, and providing critical care for children and families affected by HIV and AIDS. These organizations play a pivotal role in reducing new infections, improving the quality of life for those living with HIV, and ultimately realizing our goal of an AIDS-free generation. The funding they receive helps them deliver crucial programs that include things like:
- access to antiretroviral therapy (ART): ART is essential for managing HIV and preventing transmission.
- Prevention education and outreach: Educating communities about HIV transmission, testing, and prevention is central to reducing new infections.
- Psychosocial support: Providing support services for children and families impacted by HIV/AIDS helps them cope with the challenges and improve their overall well-being.
- Research and development of new prevention and treatment strategies: Continued research is crucial for developing new and more effective tools to combat HIV/AIDS.
These are just some of the essential services provided by organizations combatting HIV/AIDS, showing how vital community support is in funding these life-saving efforts.
Overcoming stigma and Fostering Awareness
Interviewer: The Dance marathon also aims to destigmatize HIV/AIDS. How significant is the role of events like this in addressing the stigma surrounding the disease?
Dr. Sharma: The stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS remains a major barrier to effective prevention and treatment. Events like the Dance Marathon play a crucial role in dismantling this stigma by creating open and inclusive spaces for dialog and education. By bringing together students, faculty, and the wider community, these events help to humanize the issue, showing that people living with HIV are not alone and that they deserve compassion, understanding, and support. Open conversations are key to increasing awareness and promoting testing, which leads to improved outcomes and a reduced risk of transmission. Moreover, the active participation of young people in creating events like this suggests a growing generational movement in increasing awareness and fighting misinformation and stigmatization.
Long-Term Implications and Future Outlook
Interviewer: The article notes improvements made to the Dance Marathon since the COVID-19 pandemic. How have the past few years impacted HIV/AIDS prevention efforts, and what are the key challenges and opportunities moving forward?
Dr. Sharma: The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to HIV/AIDS prevention efforts. Supply chain disruptions, decreased access to testing and treatment services, and the strain on both healthcare systems and community-based organizations all impacted the ability to reach and support individuals at risk or living with HIV. Though, the pandemic also highlighted the importance of resilience, innovation, and the adaptation of community-based organizations, which remain vital to effective outreach and community health programs fighting diseases like HIV/AIDS. Moving forward,it’s crucial to continue adapting to the changing health landscape, and incorporating strategies for telehealth and remote services to continue reaching underserved communities and ensuring that people access the prevention and care they may need. To continue successfully tackling HIV/AIDS, we need constant innovation and consistent community engagement and mobilization.
Conclusion: The Importance of Collective Action
interviewer: dr. Sharma, thank you for sharing your expertise. What is your final message for our readers regarding supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS?
Dr.Sharma: The fight against HIV/AIDS
UCLA Dance Marathon: A Generation’s Unwavering Fight Against HIV/AIDS
Did you know a simple dance marathon can substantially impact the global fight against HIV/AIDS? This is the remarkable achievement of UCLA’s Pediatric AIDS Coalition, year after year.
Interviewer: Dr. Anya sharma, a leading expert in global health and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, welcome to World Today News. Yoru extensive work on HIV/AIDS prevention and community engagement makes you uniquely qualified to discuss the importance of events like UCLA’s Dance Marathon. can you shed light on the broader impact of such initiatives?
Dr. Sharma: Thank you for having me.The UCLA Dance Marathon, and similar events worldwide, are critically important in the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS. These initiatives serve a dual purpose: raising crucial funds for research, treatment, and support services for those affected by HIV/AIDS, while simultaneously bolstering HIV/AIDS awareness and educational efforts. Thay powerfully demonstrate the combined strength of community engagement and charitable giving. The event’s success highlights the importance not only of large-scale funding but also the grassroots mobilization that significantly impacts health outcomes. The question of how to best combat this disease is answered, in part, by these community-driven events.
The Power of Community Engagement in Combating HIV/AIDS
Interviewer: the article mentions that the Dance Marathon benefits organizations like the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the UCLA AIDS Institute. How crucial are these organizations in addressing the ongoing challenges surrounding pediatric HIV/AIDS?
Dr. Sharma: Organizations like the Elizabeth Glaser pediatric AIDS Foundation and the UCLA AIDS Institute are absolutely vital. They are at the forefront of research into new prevention methods, developing effective treatments, and providing critical care for children and families affected by HIV and AIDS.These organizations play a pivotal role in reducing new infections, improving the quality of life for those living with HIV, and ultimately working towards an AIDS-free generation. The funding they receive helps them deliver crucial programs, including:
Access to antiretroviral therapy (ART): ART is essential for managing HIV and preventing transmission.
Prevention education and outreach: Educating communities about HIV transmission, testing, and prevention is central to reducing new infections.
Psychosocial support: Providing support services for children and families impacted by HIV/AIDS helps them cope with the challenges and improve their overall well-being.
Research and development of new prevention and treatment strategies: Continued research is crucial for developing new and more effective tools to combat HIV/AIDS.
These essential services illustrate how vital community support is in funding these life-saving efforts. The question of how we can best support those affected by HIV/AIDS is answered by the vital role these organizations play.
Overcoming Stigma and Fostering Awareness
Interviewer: The Dance Marathon also aims to destigmatize HIV/AIDS. How significant is the role of events like this in addressing the stigma surrounding the disease?
Dr. Sharma: The stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS remains a major barrier to effective prevention and treatment. Events like the Dance Marathon play a crucial role in dismantling this stigma by creating open and inclusive spaces for dialogue and education. By bringing together students, faculty, and the wider community, these events help to humanize the issue, showing that people living with HIV are not alone and deserve compassion, understanding, and support. Open conversations are key to increasing awareness and promoting testing, leading to improved outcomes and a reduced risk of transmission. Moreover, the active participation of young people in creating these events suggests a growing generational movement in increasing awareness and fighting misinformation and stigmatization. This is crucial in answering the question of how to effectively combat the social stigma attached to HIV/AIDS.
Long-Term Implications and future Outlook
Interviewer: The article notes improvements made to the Dance Marathon since the COVID-19 pandemic. How have the past few years impacted HIV/AIDS prevention efforts, and what are the key challenges and opportunities moving forward?
Dr. Sharma: The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to HIV/AIDS prevention efforts. Supply chain disruptions, decreased access to testing and treatment services, and the strain on healthcare systems and community-based organizations all impacted the ability to reach and support individuals at risk or living with HIV. However, the pandemic also highlighted the importance of resilience, innovation, and the adaptation of community-based organizations, which remain vital to effective outreach and community health programs fighting diseases like HIV/AIDS. Moving forward, it’s crucial to continue adapting to the changing health landscape, incorporating strategies for telehealth and remote services to continue reaching underserved communities and ensuring access to prevention and care. To continue successfully tackling HIV/AIDS, we need constant innovation and consistent community engagement and mobilization. The question of how to ensure continued progress is answered by adaptability and continued community involvement.
Conclusion: The importance of Collective Action
Interviewer: Dr. Sharma, thank you for sharing your expertise. What is your final message for our readers regarding supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS?
Dr. Sharma: the fight against HIV/AIDS requires collective action. Supporting organizations like the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and the UCLA AIDS Institute, participating in events like the Dance Marathon, and promoting open conversations about HIV/AIDS are all crucial steps. By working together, we can continue to make progress towards an AIDS-free generation. Let’s continue to ask ourselves, “How can I contribute?” and take action to make a difference in the lives of those affected by this disease. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!