HuskyTHON Students Dance Their Way Past $2 million

UConn Students Rally for Connecticut Children’s

Thirty Connecticut Children’s patients, ranging in age from 5 to 16, received a VIP welcome as they joined more than 4,600 University of Connecticut students—the highest number for any university in the U.S. this year—who danced from 6 a.m. through midnight raising funds to benefit patient care at Connecticut Children’s. The 26th annual 18-hour dance marathon, held March 8 in the Hugh S. Greer Field House on the Storrs campus, topped off an annual year-long fundraising campaign known as HuskyTHON, which raised more than $2 million to benefit the only health system in Connecticut dedicated exclusively to the care of children.

"Our theme this year is Change the Tide, and that’s exactly what we did all year long,” said Jyl Esposito, HuskyTHON’s executive director. “I am so proud of the more than 4,600 Huskies who worked tirelessly for an entire year to raise a record amount during HuskyTHON, because we know it will help Connecticut Children’s not just transform children’s health but actually transform children’s lives—that’s bigger than all of us!”

We are able to do much of what we do, because of the generosity of donors, so we are deeply grateful to everyone involved in HuskyTHON.
Bob Duncan, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Connecticut Children’s

HuskyTHON 2025 Management Team breaking into tears as they announce having exceeded their most ambitious goal.

Sharing Stories of Lives Transformed

Each year, HuskyTHON kicks off its dance marathon by forming a human tunnel to welcome patients and their families. More than 4,600 UCONN students packed into the Hugh S. Greer Field House, where hearts warmed as each child, accompanied by a fraternity, sorority or other student group, was met with cheers and thunderous applause.

HuskyTHON is a special treat for the patients who are celebrated, but it’s a terrific opportunity for their families, too. Eight-year-old Mona Z, back for her fourth HuskyTHON, was hosted by Delta Sigma Pi and the Women in Business club. Mona was born missing two seizure-related genes, which makes her susceptible to frequent, severe epileptic seizures. This condition is so rare that Mona may be the only child known to be living with it. Even though she is in a wheelchair and nonverbal, Mona’s delight with HuskyTHON and ability to capture the hearts of everyone who meets her didn’t go unnoticed.

“While she doesn’t use words,” said Mona’s mother, Jean, “Mona knows how to let you know what she’s thinking with her eyes. And today was another incredible day of making memories for our little girl. We are so grateful for the care she receives at Connecticut Children’s, and it’s such a privilege for me to help Mona share her story to continue to inspire all of the amazing kids at HuskyTHON.”

Our theme this year is Change the Tide, and that’s exactly what we did all year long,” said Jyl Esposito, HuskyTHON’s executive director.
Jyl Esposito, Executive Director, HuskyTHON Management Team

Another One for the Books

The 2024 HuskyTHON raised $1,736,591.22—the most in the event’s 25-year history. As midnight and the end of 18 hours of continuous dancing arrived, the students revealed the total money raised by their 2025 efforts as they held up placards onstage with numbers representing the fundraising total: $2,102,853.03. This year’s achievement brings UConn’s 26-year total to more than $15.4 million in support of Connecticut Children’s.

“Our amazing nurses, doctors and team members work every day to provide extraordinary care for our patients and to support for their families. We are able to do much of what we do, because of the generosity of donors, so we are deeply grateful to everyone involved in HuskyTHON,” said Bob Duncan, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Connecticut Children’s. “Spending time with these inspired Huskies is so uplifting and a powerful reminder that UCONN is not only preparing great professionals—they are cultivating great people committed to making a difference in our community.”

Meet Our 2025 CMNH Champion

At just 10 weeks old, Brian underwent his first life-changing surgery for a cleft lip and palate, overcoming immense challenges with the expert care of Connecticut Children’s. Multiple surgeries later, he proudly embraces his differences and uses his story to inspire others. As an outstanding ambassador for our health system through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Brian is a shining example of resilience and confidence—proof that expert pediatric care does more than heal, it empowers young lives.

Discover how his journey shaped him.

Read Brian's Story