Dancing for the heart

Submitted graphic
Submitted graphic

Eliza Doolittle famously declared she could've danced all night. If you've ever felt the same way, the Keep the Beat Dance-a-Thon coming up at William Woods University may be the event for you.

"It's not the typical dance-a-thon where you have to dance for so many hours and can't stop," said Anna Blecha, president of Alpha Phi on campus, which is holding the event.

Delta Chi will hold an all-night dance-off March 25 to raise funds for an automatic external defibrillator, or AED. These life-saving devices can halt cardiac arrest. AEDs are simple to operate and can be spotted in malls, airports and other public spaces.

"Safety officers have them in their vehicles, but there's not one that's out on a wall in William Woods that I know of," Blecha said.

Each AED costs about $1,500 to purchase and install, Blecha added.

Dance marathons were a popular pastime during the Great Depression. They've recently made a comeback as a way to raise funds, with colleges like Indiana University and University of Florida holding annual charity dance marathons.

"A few other Alpha Phi chapters have done dance-a-thons for different reasons," Blecha said.

She explained unlike dance marathons of old, which were nonstop tests of endurance, this one will have a more relaxed vibe.

"S&S D.J. Solutions will be the entertainment for the night," Blecha said. "At some point, the William Woods dance team will perform."

There will be snacks, drinks and a raffle of baskets donated by local businesses and other Greek chapters at William Woods. "People can just hang out, dance and have fun," Blecha said.

Doors open at 10:30 p.m. For those who make it to the end, at 5 a.m., there will be a pancake breakfast.