LEWISTOWN - The Friends of Lewistown Hospital is hosting the first 24-hour dance marathon to benefit the congestive heart failure program at Lewistown Hospital.
Though the Dance Your Heart Out event isn't until February, the community can get involved now by forming teams and beginning the fundraising process, said Julie Maidens, nurse navigator for the CHF department and a member of the event committee.
"With the help of the community, we are hoping to raise $15,000 through the dance marathon," Maidens said. "The money will go toward educational materials and necessary resources for people living with heart failure."
The philosophy behind 24 straight hours of dancing relates back to the idea that those who have the chronic condition of CHF never take a break from the condition, according to the event's General Information worksheet. Those with heart failure will always have to live with and manage the condition on a daily basis, according to the sheet.
Regulation and printable registration forms can be found online at www.lewistownhospital.org under the Special Events section of the Support Your Hospital tab.
According to the event rules and regulations, teams must include a minimum of 10 people with a designated team captain. Team registration and rosters will be accepted until Jan. 1, however each team member must raise $50 before submitting the required materials. Those teams registering late, after Jan. 1, must raise $65 per person.
"Talk to family, friends and local businesses about the cause and see if they will contribute," Maidens said. "All you need is five people to donate $10. You could even work out a deal for an amount donated each hour you dance."
Though $50 is the minimum fundraising amount per person, teams are encouraged to continue fundraising efforts after registering, Maidens said. Anything above and beyond will be greatly appreciated and put to good use, she said.
"Congestive Heart Failure is a common concern in our community that is often left unrecognized," Maidens said. "With the help of extra funding we could buy low sodium cookbooks, scales for daily weight checks, update educational materials and improve hospital programs."
The hospital is also thinking about creating a DVD series about CHF for patients to use while in hospital care, Maidens said. Any funds raised from the dance marathon will be dedicated to reducing the burden on those living with heart failure, she added.
Teams should mail all completed forms and fundraising minimums to The Friends of Lewistown Hospital, Community Relations Department, 400 Highland Ave., Lewistown, PA 17044. For more information, contact Julie Maidens at 242-7486 or Phyllis Mitchell at 242-7365.
