Dance-Thru-the-Decades to benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Supporting members of the Emporia State community in a time of need is at the heart of the Dance-Thru-The-Decades. The event, which will begin at 12 p.m. April 21 in Webb Lecture Hall, is a 12-hour dance-a-thon to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Landon Dody, the son of ESU staff member and an Emporia High School teacher, was born with the disease.

“This is an easy and fun way to help a good cause, burn calories and have fun,” said Jennifer Thomas, assistant professor in health promotions and one of the event’s organizers.

Landon Dody is the son of Aron Dody, Emporia High School math teacher, and Blythe Eddy, associate director of the Memorial Union at ESU. The couple’s first son, Lawson, was born in early 2006 but passed away due to a cord incident.

The dance is a team effort and each member pays a $10 fee which goes directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. While it is not required that all members remain on the dance floor the entire time, at least one member of the team must remain on the floor to be able to have their team’s name placed on a plaque.

All participants will be able to sign a banner for Landon and have their photo taken at the event. Participants are also given a ticket to participate in a drawing for an iPod Nano and other items.

To keep dancers motivated, the style of music will change every three hours. Each three-hour slot will feature music from a different time period. Dance instructors will also be present teaching dance moves from each decade to keep people moving. Organizers want this event to be beneficial for all involved.

According to the foundation’s Web site, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation works to fund research for a cure to CFF and to improve the overall quality of life of those afflicted with the disease.

After Lawson Dody passed away, ESU health promotions majors organized the Lawson Memorial Event, which featured a silent auction and a walk that raised money for research in cord-related infant deaths.

When Landon was born just over a year later, the ESU community moved to support the family through their ordeal by organizing events and fundraisers for the family’s medical costs as well as the foundation looking for a cure.

“We do this event to honor and remember Lawson and all babies whose lives are cut short and to raise money to support research so that Landon can live to enjoy old age,” Thomas said.

Thomas’ marketing health promotions course planned an event as part of their class. The students, all senior health promotions majors, planned everything that went into the dance-a-thon, from the marketing to the actual implementation of the event.

In addition to the dance-a-thon, the senior health promotion students are planning the third annual Lawson Dody Memorial Event. The event, scheduled for 6 p.m. April 21 in the HPER building, will include a silent auction, a memorial walk and a moonwalk. All proceeds from the event will also go to the CFF.