May 3, 2024

Student leaders celebrated the success of their year-long Cougarthon fundraising efforts this week with representatives of Piedmont Columbus Regional. That’s where their hard work will help transform healthcare for children at its future Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital.

The students’ Cougarthon dance marathon event on Feb. 29 was the culmination of their annual efforts—raising a total of $9,046. For Cougarthon director and secondary biology education major Torie Hardis, the event is more than just a fundraiser; it’s a way to give back. Spending the first eight years of her life in and out of hospitals, she saw firsthand how those stays can be isolating for young patients—and financially challenging for parents.

“I still remember the Children’s Miracle Network staff coming into my room to visit, to play, or just to take my mind off what was going on around me medically,” said the senior from Monroe, North Carolina, who now calls Columbus home. “Volunteering with Cougarthon gives me a way to pay that support forward to children and families benefiting from that same level of care and compassion at Piedmont.”

The Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital at Piedmont Columbus Regional is among 170-plus Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. The state-of-the-art hospital in Columbus will open fall 2024 and will be the only freestanding children’s hospital in our region—dedicated to treating sick and injured kids in a child-friendly environment and positioned to deliver best-in-class children’s healthcare for years to come. In addition to providing specialty inpatient rooms to accommodate the vast array of pediatric patients, this new facility will provide the space needed to expand pediatric programs and services well into the future. 

“The Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital, your local Children’s Miracle Network hospital, is so thankful for the partnership and commitment of the Cougarthon Dance Marathon,” said Jessie Brown, Piedmont Columbus Regional Foundation’s Children’s Miracle Network officer. “Their dedication and passion to helping kids in our community are reflected in their fundraising success and continued growth. The funds raised from Cougarthon help us make miracles happen every day for our smallest and most vulnerable patients.”

 

Cougarthon is an all-night, lock-in-style event. Every hour features different themes and activities—from yoga- and “Minute to Win It” to lip sync competitions and a “POWER HOUR”—to keep things interesting. Students also learned a morale dance at the beginning of the night and every hour kicks off with it.

Midnight Dodgeball remains one of the highly anticipated events of the annual event. While registered teams are automatically included, anyone can register a seven-player team to compete. This year’s winner was FaceTime, comprised of Isaiah Adams, Jaden Cain, Zavier Johnson, Delexcrius Morton, Chris Prather, Joshua Peacock, Jayson Rogers and Nija Washington. 

Visit the Cougarthon webpage for more information about Cougarthon and how to either get involved in or sponsor Columbus State’s future efforts.

Media contact:
Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu 

Related news coverage:
CSU Cougarthon collects over $9,000 for local children’s hospital (May 7, 2024, WRBL-TV)
UPDATE: Columbus State University’s dance marathon raises more than $9 thousand for future Children’s Hospital (Feb. 28, 2024, WTVM-TV)