HAPPY FEET GO THE DISTANCE FOR HEALTHY FUTURES

When Interboro High School students Alicia Kennedy and Courtney Hartney chose their senior project, they set out to literally get the community on their feet to take action in the fight against breast cancer.  And that they did-with an 11-hour dance marathon held in the cafeteria of their Prospect Park, PA high school. 

Organized by six students plus a faculty advisor, by the end of the night, the marathon raised $2,030 for the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate.

"The six of us who organized the dance marathon are good friends... we know the breast cancer statistics and that the odds of at least one in our group getting the disease are great," said Alicia Kennedy.  "We chose this important cause as our senior project for our friendship, for our futures and for all women facing these frightening odds."

Kennedy had indirectly connected with the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate last year, when she volunteered for the breast cancer outreach program offered by Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital's Mercy Breast Health Task Force.  The program is funded by a grant from the Affiliate.

The six students showed a great deal of initiative, bringing in local business owners as sponsors, securing great incentive prizes from Best Buy, selling tickets and even creating the unique theme of a "decade dance," where participants selected a decade and came in appropriate dress. 

Funds were raised through entry fees for individuals and couples, refreshment sales and unsolicited donations.  The results were 39 registered dancers and a packed house made up of community members cheering them on and contributing to the cause.

"The continuation of breast cancer education and cure lies in the hands of these young girls and others like them," said Elaine Grobman, Executive Director of the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate.  "It is so important that this generation starts today to make other young people-and adults, too-aware of how this disease can impact their futures.  Alicia, Courtney and the others are doing just that, and we are fortunate for their leadership."