For Heather Gill, Dance Marathon is more than just an event. It’s a tradition.For the third time, the junior in communication and member of Chi Omega said she’ll be participating in the annual fundraiser, and has already begun working to raise money for the event, now about three weeks away.This year’s Dance Marathon will be held Feb. 3-4 in Carmichael Gymnasium.”It has become a tradition for me to do it, and I want to say when I graduate that I participated every year I was at N.C. State,” Gill said.Dance Marathon, held this year on Feb. 3-4, is a 24-hour no sitting, no sleeping fundraising event that benefits the Dollars for a Difference Children’s Fund for the North Carolina Children’s Hospital.Gill said this year’s Dance Marathon is especially significant to her.”My dad recently passed away from lung cancer,” Gill said. “Although he wasn’t a child I understand how parents feel staying up endless nights in the hospital, because I did it myself.”Gill and her sorority have been involved in several fundraisers for the event.”We have participated in Shag Nights at Red’s as well as date auctions and poker nights,” Gill said.Gill said she even volunteered herself to be auctioned off for a date. “We try to encourage girls to come out and participate,” Gill said. “We also put out a donation box so people can give spare change.”Jess Roberts, a senior in biological and agricultural engineering and co-chair of fundraising for Dance Marathon, said Gill has a heart for volunteering her time.”Heather has been to the last few Dance Marathons and has helped out with setting up and keeping people motivated,” Roberts said. Roberts said each dancer can raise money through his or her own personal contacts and fundraising.”Most people get their friends and family to help support them and donate to the cause,” Roberts said.Gill said she will be asking people close to her to donate money to Dance Marathon. Although she hopes to raise $200 this year, she said she always raises more than her goal.Last year’s Dance Marathon consisted of shag lessons and visits from parents and children from the UNC Children’s Hospital.Gill said the visits from these individuals were her favorite activities.”It is very rewarding to hear them talk about how much the money we raise makes a difference,” Gill said.Despite her veteran status, Gill said she is still surprised by how long the 24-hour standing marathon can be.”I forget every year how bad my feet hurt,” Gill said. “It was not as bad last year as it was at my first Dance Marathon.”But when the children and parents are there, Gill said, her feet stop hurting and the entire event becomes worth her time and effort.Diana Coyle, a junior in communication and operations chair for Dance Marathon, said Gill has been her support system while planning the event.”This year Heather has helped me find bands to perform at the event and helped me organize everything,” Coyle said.Coyle said everyone involved is excited about raising money for Dance Marathon.”Dance Marathon is like one big party with free food, bands and activities that all help to benefit a good cause,” Coyle said.But Gill said it is not always easy to raise money, especially with multiple natural disasters that have prompted people to aid those in need.”It is difficult because people are always asking for money for something,” Gill said. “A lot of people have given and given this year between the tsunami and Katrina.”