<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1ikkrf_0viaKxjB00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1ikkrf_0viaKxjB00" width="1764" height="1175" ><figcaption>The Be Positive (B+) Foundation is the No. 1 provider of financial support in the U.S. to families impacted by childhood cancer.&nbsp; Hank Leahy | Loyolan</figcaption></figure>Many LMU students are familiar with the entertaining Sorority and Fraternity Life (SFL) "Lip Sync” event. What people might not be completely aware of, however, is the mission and meaning behind it. Lip Sync is hosted by SFL in collaboration with LMU Dance Marathon (LMUDM), which provides financial and emotional support to families impacted by childhood pediatric cancer.Starting Sept. 16 and running through Sept. 20, LMUDM held their annual “Why Week” event, informing the student body about what they do, who they work with and what they’re fighting for. Events throughout the week included trivia night, a Chipotle fundraiser, dessert sales and poster visuals.LMUDM works directly with The Be Positive (B+) Foundation much like many other organizations on campuses nationwide. Such organizations fundraise for the nonprofit and the families supported through the foundation, with LMUDM and the surrounding community raising hundreds of thousands for the children. “It’s building a stronger community by bringing people together to help with the cause,” said Stella Sierra, a health and human sciences major and co-president of LMUDM.Through The B+ Foundation, LMUDM supports children in surrounding areas who are referred to as the organization’s “heroes.” Once the organization gets a hero, they remain a hero and are supported indefinitely. LMUDM’s partnership with B+ creates events that not only support and fundraise for these heroes, but enriches the lives of students on campus as well. During this year’s Why Week, there was a focus on the heroes specifically, as each day one of LMUDM's six B+ heroes had a different visual and anyone on campus was given the ability to film a video for them. “Some of the days it was for heroes who are in remission, some days for those who are still going through treatment and others for heroes who just finished treatment,” said Nicole Levine, a psychology major and co-president of LMUDM.Why Week and Lip Sync are not the only events hosted by LMUDM, and there are many other plans that will continue to support the fight against childhood cancer. There are plans to continue participating in Greek Week, an annual event that the organization is involved in. Last year, there was also a basketball tournament, which LMUDM is hoping to host again in the spring. “We want to engage more of the community, [so] we can share with more people what we’re doing,” said Levine.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2AbTlH_0viaKxjB00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2AbTlH_0viaKxjB00" width="1763" height="1175" ><figcaption>Nicole Levine, a psychology major and co-president of LMUDM, talks with students on Palm Walk about the mission of B+. Hank Leahy | Loyolan</figcaption></figure>There are also hopes to have smaller events throughout the year, such as flower sales during Thanksgiving and tabling during Wellness Wednesdays with the purpose of spreading the message of the organization to more people and groups around campus. “We’re hoping to branch out more and connect with other organizations on campus, not just Sorority and Fraternity Life,” said Sierra. “That’s something we’re really trying to focus on this year.”There are many different committees and positions people can work under through LMUDM, and because they works so closely with SFL, many members of all on-campus chapters help and are a part of DM through the fundraising done for events like Lip Sync and Greek Week. There is also a program for those who want to get involved to become committee members. “If you see [DM] on campus, come ask questions,” said Sierra. “We’d love for the LMU community to learn about what we do and why we do it.”For students looking to make a change, supporting DM’s efforts is a great way to get involved while also making an ever-lasting impact on the lives of many members of the community. To learn more about The B+ Foundation and their mission, click here.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

LMU Dance Marathon's 'Why Week' invites students to get involved in the fight against childhood cancer

Many LMU students are familiar with the entertaining Sorority and Fraternity Life (SFL) \"Lip Sync” event. What people might not be completely aware of, however, is the mission and meaning behind it. Lip Sync is hosted by SFL in collaboration with LMU Dance Marathon (LMUDM), which provides financial and emotional support to families impacted by childhood pediatric cancer.

Many LMU students are familiar with the entertaining Sorority and Fraternity Life (SFL) "Lip Sync” event. What people might not be completely aware of, however, is the mission and meaning behind it. Lip Sync is hosted by SFL in collaboration with LMU Dance Marathon (LMUDM), which provides financial and emotional support to families impacted by childhood pediatric cancer.