please make a donation: http://www.active.com/donate/ucladance/NabeelaV

Dearest Friends,

It's that time of year again!  On February 17-18, 2007, I am participating in the sixth annual Dance Marathon at UCLA.  This will be my second time experiencing Dance Marathon as a member of the committee, and I must say that it is a life-changing event.  I'm writing to you because I need your help to meet my fundraising total – the event is less than 20 days away! 

Dance Marathon at UCLA, one of the largest student-organized philanthropic events on the West Coast. With educational and fun activities throughout the year, we seek to bring together the UCLA campus in the fight against AIDS. Our work culminates in a 26-hour dance-a-thon where hundreds of dancers acknowledge the battle of children suffering from AIDS by remaining on their feet for the entire duration of the event. Over the past 5 years Dance Marathon has raised $665,000 towards the cause.

Dance Marathon isn't just about dancing for 26 hours - it's about college students uniting to make a difference.  HIV/AIDS is the issue of our generation, and it is a completely preventable disease.  I always feel overwhelmed when I think about this pandemic, but I take comfort in knowing that I can have a small part in fighting the disease by participating in Dance Marathon, educating my friends and family about our cause, and raising money for the Elisabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (one of the world's leading non-profit organizations dedicated to funding and conducting research for pediatric HIV/AIDS).  This year, we're also donating part of our total to Camp Kindle and Camp Heartland, two non-profit camps for children living with HIV/AIDS.  Each camp offers these children a unique camping experience where they can be encouraged and accepted and build leadership skills while creating lasting memories and friendships.

This year our overall goal is to raise over $300,000, and I have committed to raising as much money as possible as well as dancing for the entire 26-hour event.  Each committee member pledges to raise a minimum of $400 to contribute to the event, but my personal goal is $600.  Please visit my fundraising website http://www.active.com/donate/ucladance/NabeelaV, and help me make this possible with a tax-deductible sponsorship donation! Or your can mail a check to me at my apartment at 679 Gayley Apt. #108, Los Angeles CA 90024 and make the check out to Dance Marathon at UCLA. Please consider forwarding this onto your friends and family, or others in your address book.  It doesn't take much time, but it can add up incredibly quickly.

Thank you for your time and consideration.  Your contribution is making a difference in the lives of so many people.