Jake Nevin Field House will be filled with Villanovans, Heroes and positivity in just 31 days, with a goal of raising $700,000. The NOVAdance community has spent almost an entire calendar year preparing for the culminating 12-hour dance marathon, which will take place on Saturday, March 29.
Each year, NOVAdance fundraises in partnership with the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. In 2007, Andrew McDonough was diagnosed with Leukemia. He fought it for 167 days. His motto throughout his journey was “Be Positive,” inspired by his blood type: B+.
Andrew’s father, Joe McDonough, began the Foundation to raise awareness and provide fundraising for other families struggling with pediatric cancer. Just a few weeks ago, McDonough visited Villanova’s campus to share his son’s story and the foundation’s mission. He spoke to a crowd of around 600 students.
The various NOVAdance committees sponsor a multitude of events throughout the year to increase Villanovan involvement. On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Special Events Team of NOVAdance hosted its annual B+ Ball. Each year, the ball is a formal event for Villanovans, members of the public and B+ Heroes to learn more about the B+ message and foundation.
“We have, I believe, three or four Heroes coming, which is super cool,” junior and Special Events Chair Noah Kang said before the event. “We are excited for that.”
This year, B+ Hero Ellie Matz spoke. Ellie is a high school student, and she loves science and theatre. The Ball also featured food, drinks and raffles. Another upcoming event to continue fundraising efforts is the Sidekicks’ Jogathon.
Sidekicks is NOVAdance’s committee made up of first-year students. This upcoming Jogathon will be its second-annual run. It will take place on March 15 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. It is about a mile-long course, each lap beginning and ending at the Oreo. Runners can partner with donors who pledge to donate a certain amount of money each lap run.
Leading up to the dance marathon, the Sidekicks will also be busy planning for the day-of events and activities. Sidekicks Chair senior Evan Eames shared his feelings of preparing for the dance marathon with the Sidekicks.
“I’m just soaking it all in,” Eames said. “I think it’s obviously tough it being my last NOVAdance dance marathon, but I’m really excited for all the work we’ve done and seeing that pay off with, kinda, the Sidekicks being able to see how awesome the day of is and also hopefully us breaking our previous record.”
In recent weeks, the Awareness Team has also been heavily planning out the dance marathon Reflection Room.
The Reflection Room is a designated space where NOVAdance participants can read thank you notes written from families to the B+ Foundation.
“It’s really such a big cornerstone of the day of,” Sheftel said. “I think it’s really effective in what it does in just grounding people to our message and understanding why we’re really here to do what we do.”
Organizations paired with B+ Heroes are also preparing to get their heroes excited for the dance marathon.
In the Fall of 2024, Chi Omega was paired with B+ Hero, Julia Siegfried. This past weekend, Chi Omega hosted a bonding event so Julia can begin to get excited for the upcoming dance marathon.
“We’re planning a little ‘Get to Know Julia’ x Chi Omega event,” junior and Hero Liaison Alexandra Schuster said. “It will just have some activities, some games, some food and give Chi O a chance to meet Julia and Julia a chance to meet our sisters.”
In 2024, NOVAdance raised $601,507.81.
Every year since 2021, the NOVAdance fundraising goal has been surpassed and increased. This year, the goal has been raised by nearly $100,000. The preparations and fundraising events led by the various NOVAdance committees will all contribute to that goal.
