Students dance thru decades to raise awareness

Emporia State students hit the dance floor to help raise awareness for Cystic Fibrosis.

“I think it helps get the students involved and helps them learn more about Cystic Fibrosis,” said Makaila McClelland, senior health promotions major. “It’s for a good foundation and all of the money goes back into Cystic Fibrosis research.”

Jennifer Thomas, assistant professor of health promotion, and students in her Strategies, Marketing Management and Health Promotions class decided to host the event on Monday for one-year-old Landon Dody, the son of Blythe Eddy, a Union Activities Council advisor and associate director of the Memorial Union.

According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis is a condition where the body produces unusually thick mucus that can lead to severe lung infections and death. It also keeps the body from absorbing and breaking down food.

The average lifespan for a person with Cystic Fibrosis is 37 years.

“Every dollar donated goes to research to help find a cure and advanced research into different medications to help kids like Landon live a longer life,” said Aron Dody, Landon Dody’s father. “We’re very thankful for that.”

Aron Dody helped DJ the event and said he appreciated the efforts of those who organized the event.

“It’s very humbling and I’m just very proud to live in a community like Emporia where people will step up and help out,” Dody said. “The people are just so giving and helpful. It’s really touching, it means a lot.”

Thomas and her class have been organizing these events since the beginning of the semester. The class was in charge of decorations, marketing and prizes for the event.

Several items were given away, including gym memberships, t-shirts, water bottles and gift certificates. The grand prize, an iPod Nano, was drawn at 11:55 p.m.

“I’ve only sat down maybe once, and other than that I’ve been going absolutely spastic,” said Carinda Claassen, junior elementary education major and UAC member. “This is for my advisor who I’ve grown to love and I want to support her and her son and the rest of their family.”

Because the dance lasted for 12 hours, the music changed in three-hour intervals. From noon until 3 p.m. was ‘70s music. 80s music was played from 3-6 p.m. From 6-9 p.m. was ‘90s music. Lastly, current and country music were played from 9 p.m. to midnight.

“Laps 4 Landon: Taking Steps to find a Cure for CF” was held on Tuesday evening at the Emporia High School track. “Spring Forward: the 3rd Annual Lawson T. Dody Memorial Event,” will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday. Pies and other donated items will be auctioned off and there will be a two-mile walk and a balloon release.