Kaitlyn Vogel of Ocean View is participating in UDance, an initiative run by the University of Delaware to raise money for families of cancer patients. Vogel's sister, Gabby, passed away 12 years ago.
It's been 12 years since Caitlin Vogel's younger sister, Gabby, died from a type of brain tumor, but the University of Delaware (UD) sophomore wants to make sure she is never forgotten.
So Vogel, 20, signed up to participate in a UD fundraiser called UDance. Since its inception in 2007, the initiative has raised more than $18 million for families of children with cancer.
She set a goal to raise at least $1,000. In return, she agrees to dance the entire 12 hours of her UDance dance marathon scheduled for Sunday, April 21st. Vogel has already reached her $1,000 goal, but she is continuing to raise money until the day of the dance marathon.
Funds from this marathon will benefit the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation. The foundation was established in memory of a New Castle County young man who died at age 14 from complications from leukemia. His family established a foundation that has raised millions of dollars for cancer research. To support families of children with cancer.
The foundation, whose name comes from McDonough's blood type and is pronounced “Be Positive,” helps families in a variety of ways, including paying bills for families overwhelmed by the challenges of a child's illness. The foundation helps cancer patients one day have children of their own through its Family Preservation Program.
Vogel's family is well-versed in cancer-related fundraising, having run the Get Well Gabby Foundation for some time after Gabby Vogel's death. Although the foundation is currently inactive, Vogel said, “I'm still very passionate about childhood cancer.” When she learned about UDance, she said, “I just kind of knew I had to get involved.”
Gabby Vogel had a rare type of brain tumor called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), which forms in the brain stem. Approximately 300 children are diagnosed with DIPG each year in the United States. Few people survive more than two years from diagnosis.
On a Facebook page still dedicated to the Get Well Gabby Foundation, Vogel's mother Carolyn said of her late daughter Gabrielle: She had a smile that lit up her room. She has the most contagious laugh. She wanted to do everything her older sisters had done. She wanted to grow up and be a mom. she loved with all her heart. She was a very caring and kind girl. ”
Caitlin Vogel's sponsored page on the UDance website features a photo of her sister. The UDance organization fits well with her goal of working to support families whose children have been diagnosed with cancer.
Although Dance Marathon is the largest event held by UDance, student-run organizations are active on the UD campus throughout the year, holding “canned food” drives and other events to raise student awareness. .
The Dance Marathon, to be held April 21 at the Bob Carpenter Center, will feature dance events, as well as hair donation stations, hourly line dances and B+ rated “heroes” (children with cancer). There will be performances by. “Flash Fundraising” events and contests for dancers.
Vogel attended UDance last year, but said this is her first time participating in the 12-hour dance marathon, which begins April 21 at 9 a.m.
In 2023, 7,000 students participated in UDance activities throughout the year, including Dance Marathon.
Since UDance was founded in 2007 by two campus fraternity/sororial organizations, UDance has raised more than $18 million for the B+ Foundation.
Vogel, the daughter of Carolyn and John Vogel of Ocean View, is majoring in elementary education and English as a second language at UD. She graduated from Sussex Technical High School, where she worked in the child education program.
To sponsor Vogel in the UDance Dance Marathon, visit her sponsorship page at www.udancede.org. Click the orange “Donate” button on the homepage and type “Kaitlyn Vogel” to access her page.
