Aubery, Daniela, Edgar, Kaylee, Mahlai and Mikey — NYU Greek Life danced all day yesterday for these children as a part of the annual New York Dance Marathon. These are the names of children who are a part of the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, a non-profit that aids pediatric cancer patients and their families.

As a part of NYDM, each NYU sorority and fraternity has been working with a specific child from the B+ Foundation while also raising money for the foundation as a whole. After a year of fundraising for their B+ Heroes, NYU sororities and fraternities spent 12 hours full of energy, dancing and fundraising at Kimmel Center for University Life. This year’s effort raised $600,000 for the B+ Foundation — the highest total since NYDM was founded in 2012.

Many members of NYU Greek Life spent the whole day at the dance marathon, such as Steinhardt sophomore Naomi Kruh. She said NYDM is important because of the impact that it has on families — pointing to an example of one B+ Hero who took to the stage with her family to talk about her positive experience with NYDM.

“They were reiterating the fact that the money we raise is beneficial,” Kruh said. “We can help in ways that money can’t. We can be there for the children and the families. It’s a nice way to show your support for people.”

Kruh emphasized that NYDM is more about the relationship with B+ Heroes and their families than the sum of money raised, although that is important as well. She thinks that in this sense, NYDM is a core part of Greek Life. Kruh also said that it is a great way to unite the NYU community.

“It’s a great event when all of Greek Life gets to come together,” Kruh said. “You get to be around other organizations, and you’re all coming together for a common cause. You all just really want to help these families and children who are going through a hard time.”

The event wasn’t just open to NYU Greek Life; representatives from Residential Life and the NYU Tennis team were also involved in the event as volunteers and fundraisers.

CAS freshman Katherine Anderson spoke about the dual nature of the event — how it is a fun event for participants, but also a serious time to discuss and raise money for a great cause.

“You come in and you’re dancing and having a really good time because it’s fun, but you’re also crying because you hear these touching, heartwarming stories,” Anderson said. “It’s really powerful; really inspiring.”

At one point of the day, deemed B+ Hour, all of the B+ Heroes took to the stage and gave speeches about their cancer stories, according to Stern freshman Brooke Fuller. She said hearing from the kids and parents who had lost their children was extremely moving.

“We know that we’re here supporting such a good cause and everyone is here supporting each other,” Fuller said. “We raise money for the kids. FTK is what we say, because it is all for them.”

A version of this article appeared in the Monday, Nov. 20 print edition.

Email Jemima McEvoy at [email protected].