OM
Olivia Murphy
  • Educational Policy and Leadership Studies
  • Class of 2020
  • Johnstown, PA

Olivia Murphy helps fight pediatric AIDS at Baldwin Wallace University's 15th Dance Marathon

2016 Apr 28

Olivia Murphy of Johnstown was among over 130 students who participated in the 15th Annual Dance Marathon at Baldwin Wallace University. As the largest philanthropy organization on campus, Dance Marathon brings together the community, students and sponsors. The 12-hour marathon consists of performers, dance and HIV/AIDS education. This year's record-breaking event saw an all-time high number of sponsors and participants, and raised over $45,500 for the cause, setting yet another record.

Murphy, a graduate of Bishop McCort High School majoring in international studies, danced from noon to midnight, raising money and awareness in the fight against pediatric HIV/AIDS through Up 4 the Fight, a collegiate fundraising program. All proceeds went to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which seeks to educate and reduce the transmission and cases of pediatric AIDS worldwide. The 2016 Dance Marathon's theme was "How many takes till we get to zero?" in reference to zero cases of mother to child HIV/AIDS transmission and zero cases of children diagnosed with HIV everyday.

Marketing chair of the Dance Marathon Steering Committee, Brittany Huff '17, said, "When I got involved as a freshman there were 800 babies a day born with HIV; three years later, that figure has been reduced to 600. It's a tremendous improvement but our goal is zero."