UCF’s largest student-driven philanthropy is in its 26th year and back on-campus this spring. Here are five things you need to know about Knight-Thon 2022.

1. What is Knight-Thon?
Knight-Thon is a national Miracle Network Dance Marathon movement that raises funds all year-round for Children Miracle Network Hospitals. At UCF, Knight-Thon raises funds for Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and culminates in its main event — a 20-hour dance marathon — each spring. Every cent raised goes towards the hospital’s greatest need at the time. This includes medical treatments, care and research, as well as everyday items to make the hospital feel more comfortable for its patients.

This year, $811,589 was raised through Knight-Thon.

2. When and where will Knight-Thon be held?
Knight-Thon 2022 will take place from 11 a.m. on March 26 to 11 a.m. on March 27. For the first time since the start of the pandemic, the dance marathon will be back in the Addition Financial Arena. In 2020, Knight-Thon’s in-person dance marathon was canceled 10 days before it was supposed to be held as UCF moved to remote operations, and students quickly adapted to host a virtual event. Last year it was held as a hybrid event on Memory Mall and online.

3. Who can attend Knight-Thon’s main event and what activities make up the dance marathon?
In the past, only individuals who raised certain amounts of money were allowed to participate in the main event. This year, the dance marathon is open to any Knights, friends and family.  Every hour on the hour, students partake in the “Morale” dance, but there’s much more to the dance marathon. Children who are patients at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children are welcomed onstage alongside their families to share their stories of diagnosis, defeat, and newfound hope.

There’s also food and free entertainment. This year’s event will include a drag show and silent disco.

4. How do I register for Knight-Thon or make a donation?
To register for Knight-Thon or make a donation, visit, osi.ucf.edu/agencies/knight-thon.

5. How much money has been raised through Knight-Thon at UCF?
In 2022, $811,589 was raised for Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children through Knight-Thon at UCF.

Over the past 25 years, UCF has raised $8 million for Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Last year during the philanthropic initiative’s first hybrid event, Knights raised $613,280.