UDance marathon raises $1.81M for childhood cancer research, support

The University of Delaware‘s UDance Dance Marathon raised $1,810,025.76 for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation during its 19th annual fundraiser Sunday.

This 12-hour event, which brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members, supports the fight against childhood cancer.

The B+ (Be Positive) Foundation, honors the life of Andrew McDonough, who battled leukemia, septic shock and complications of childhood cancer for 167 days before dying on July 14, 2007 at the age of 14.

Andrew’s B+ blood type became his family and friends’ motto throughout his fight against childhood cancer – to “Be Positive.”

“I am just overwhelmed by the tremendous success of UDance 2025,” said Joe McDonough, president of the B+ Foundation, and Andrew’s father. “The students worked so hard all year long and Sunday was the celebration of that effort. It’s kind of mind-boggling that the students raised $1.8 million!”

The event has raised over $20 million since its inception in 2007, benefiting families affected by childhood cancer and funding critical research.

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The 2025 event highlights the university’s strong commitment to philanthropy and its ongoing support for children battling cancer. It’s the 6th highest fundraising total in the 19 years of the marathon.

“UDance 2025 was a day full of joy, passion, and celebration of our incredible community coming together to fight against childhood cancer,” said Lauren Dienna, media engagement and website chair for UDance 2025. “As UDance is the university’s longest campus tradition, it was especially amazing to see the highest attendance since before the COVID-19 pandemic at the event yesterday.”

Every part of UD’s campus comes together to fundraise, from Greek Life to athletics to student organizations.

“Coming together as a community means the world, and it especially means the world to our incredible B+ Heroes who are paired with different student groups,” Dienna said. “Overall, we raised $1,810,015.76 for the kids and for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation this year. We are so proud of this community, and can’t wait to see what else we can do together in the future.”

UDance fundraising by year

“I don’t look at this as a dollar figure, but instead, as the number of families of kids with cancer that we will be able to help,” McDonough said. “There will be thousands of families that won’t be evicted, or have their power turned off, or be unable to pay for medicine, and so much more…all because of these young people at UD. Families will be able to focus on what is truly most important – the life or death battle of their precious child. I am a very proud Blue Hen!”