It’s time to shake it for a good cause. The University of Louisville student group raiseRED kicks off its 18-hour dance marathon Feb. 22 to fight pediatric cancer and blood disorders.

About 1,000 dancers will try to raise more than $601,000, the record-breaking amount collected last year.   

The dance marathon starts at 6 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Swain Student Activities Center. The night is a mix of dancing, patient testimonials and special guests to keep the dancers energized and focused on how their participation makes a difference. There also will be a kid talent show in which children from the pediatric cancer clinic get to show off their special talents.

The public is invited to take part Feb. 23 in the 10:30 a.m.-noon Community Celebration, which culminates in the grand reveal of the total number of dollars raised.

All funds from raiseRED go to research and patient care at the UofL Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology.

Student dancers have been split into teams, and each member collects pledges of support. In addition, the dance marathon is supported by Papa John’s, Kosair Charities, UPS and Churchill Downs.

Learn more at raisered.org. To make a donation, go to raisered.org/donate.