Students Optimistic for Curing Kids (S.O.C.K.) is having a dance marathon this weekend to bring awareness and raise money for the organization.

S.O.C.K. fundraises all year and raises awareness for childhood cancer.

The money goes to Emma’s Touch Foundation for financial assistance and support for families of children with cancer receiving treatment in and out of regional pediatric oncology hospitals.

The dance marathon will take place in Princeton, West Virginia, and will last 24 hours.

Participants have to stay standing the entire time as a way to show their support to the families that battle childhood cancer every day.

Jennifer Pruitt, president of S.O.C.K. at Marshall University, said she started the group for various reasons.

“I started the club from the idea of Jordan, my cousin, who started the organization,” Pruitt said. “I really just wanted an opportunity to help out local families as well as meet more people here at Marshall.”

The organization’s goal is to reach $5,000 by the end of the marathon. Last year, the group raised nearly $4,000 for Emma’s Touch Foundation.

Autumn Tolliver, secretary of MU S.O.C.K, said people will be represented at the dance marathon.

“Marshall S.O.C.K. members will be there along with (West Virginia University) members,” Tolliver said. “But the best part will be the fact that families will be there. Princeton community members along with children and their families that are helped through Emma’s Touch will be there. There will be a different family visiting and sharing their story every hour.”

Tolliver said there are different ways the members raise money.

“We can do club fundraisers, personal fundraisers, or even by sending letters to businesses asking for sponsorships,” Tolliver said. “Our current fundraiser is that we are raffling off a set of Marshall corn hole boards for this spring.”

Tolliver said the Marshall chapter of this organization is continually growing in size each meeting.

Kaitlyn Clay can be contacted at [email protected].