It’s that time of year again. Your favorite campus cutie is back to save all those who are of deprived DM/CHLA (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles) information and, more importantly, spirit! For those of you who are new or who haven’t heard of me, I am Andrea Edoria- second-year Trojan, brain [aneurysm] survivor, and your typical all-around fun-loving girl. When I was three years old I had a life-threatening brain aneurysm that occurred at the base of my brain-stem (the area in your brain that holds all your motor skills). It was only through an 11 hour surgery that my life was saved. I spent [six] long months at CHLA where I was treated which became my second home, taught to re-learn everything from walking to talking to swallowing.

Since recovering I have been speaking on behalf of the hospital and the non-profit organization that raises funds for it: Children’s Miracle Network (CMN). My job is to get supporters, everyone from Marriott to Costco to YOU, to donate to this life-saving hospital! I owe them my life and this is the least I can do to repay them.

Recently, I was invited to represent CHLA in a taping for a new reality show (to be aired this September!) by a member of the central CMN team in Utah. The show was, as David Osmond (<—- YES, Osmond! Donny’s nephew!) described, a cross between American Idol and The Apprentice. Aspiring singer-songwriters team up to write songs for a different charity every week. As I’m sure you’ve already guessed, the week I came, I was to judge the songs they would write and perform for me and the heads of the central CMN team i.e CEO.

All the contestants were extremely nice and gave me hugs and made me feel so loved that when I heard their songs I couldn’t help but cry my eyes out! Their lyrics really tell the stories of every child who has been in a Children’s Hospital (like me!). They spoke of the pain and struggles these kids have to endure. But they also speak of the hope and endless support everyone from a Children’s Hospital gives, all to see that child get better. All of them were so touching it was impossible for me to choose just one! The song is set to be available for download right after the episode airs (and you can bet that I will be posting that download link up here) this September! ALL proceeds will go directly to YOUR local Children’s Hospital!

I can’t WAIT for you all to hear it on the show and at TrojanDM!!! It will be used as the theme song for ALL Children’s Hospitals so ALL of you better download and memorize it so YOU can sing along at Dance Marathon!!! You’ll have to WAIT just a little more, but, I assure you, that WAITING is not in vain!!! ‘Till then I hope to see YOU ALL getting your TrojanDM spirit on and party your way to February!!!

Peace, Love, & FIGHT ON!!!!!

XOXO

Andrea <3

At the heart of your generosity is the desire to make a change.

My name is Brihana Dominguez; I am 18 years old and an incoming student at California State University Los Angeles. I just recently finished coaching girls J.V/Frosh Soph water polo at Bonita High School. This month I will be participating in a program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles called Camp CHLA.

Camp CHLA is a chance to explore exciting careers in the medical field and is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare profession. Camp CHLA continues for five full days providing an education, observation and participation in the daily activities of healthcare professionals. My past as a patient at Children’s Hospital has lead me to my present involvement as an ambassador for DM. Participating in TrojanDM has provided clarity to the interests of my career choices. And who I am today will improve who I am tomorrow. At the heart of your generosity is the desire to make a change. Participating in DM can benefit its volunteers and participants in many positive ways. Those of us who choose social responsibility can make a difference in the lives of patients and families in need at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

DM Girl again. I’m here to remind you that the epic evening of philanthropy and fun steadily approaching campus – yes, you got it: DANCE MARATHON – is going to be one you won’t want to miss. Not only are we singing, dancing and saluting an astounding fight being endured by the strongest kids in LA – we’re also breaking ground at the University of Southern California.

Trojan Dance Marathon began a mere 4 years ago, when your average Joe and Jane – well, Tommy and Tammy Trojan, rather – decided that USC was bursting with potential to show some generosity while practicing its mantra of “Work Hard, Play Hard.” With the support of Children’s Miracle Network and a partnership with CHLA, Dance Marathon was born. If you haven’t heard, Trojan DM made around $6,000 at its first annual event – and fit inside of the beloved but modest coffee shop on campus, Ground Zero.

We are now nearing completion of Dance Marathon’s fourth – and our Executive Co-Founder’s final – year, as Trojan DM 4 approaches faster and faster. We’ve raised over $50,000 in our three years, and with 11 days left until the event, currently have 714 dancer participants signed up and have raised a whopping $17, 878 – that’s going straight to CHLA. We’ve fundraised so far this year more than we did throughout our entire second year and event – Trojan DM 2. We have quadrupled the number of teams which have registered to dance, are amazed by the support and initiative that all of USC’s student organizations have demonstrated thus far… and can’t even imagine what’s to come once the event kicks off next Saturday night.

Working hard and playing hard is the only way we Trojans do what we do – and its gotten us to the top in many respects. Trojan DM 4 this Saturday, February 26th is going to break records too, surpassing limits that the Campus Center, the Children’s Miracle Network, Trojan Dance Marathon may have seen before. What was once a simple idea in the heads of our beloved leaders Tommy and Tammy Trojan (aka Scott and Suzanne) has become a thriving and unstoppable reality at USC, and we know that every Trojan out there is fit to be a part of it.

So here’s your chance: REGISTER. Every single dollar you fundraise will only get you more DM gear, food and VIP access – while making a huge difference in the lives of patients and families who, at CHLA, are a part of our very own Trojan family.

4 the kids, and 4 the legacy we’re about to leave…

Xoxo,
DM Girl

What’s poppin’? If you don’t already know me, I’m Andrea. I am a part of DM ’11 as a dancer, on the planning committee, and one of the CHLA ambassadors. When I was 3 years old I had a brain aneurism at the base of my brainstem which caused me to lose and eventually regain all my motor skills. I had to re-learn everything from swallowing to talking to walking. I still have a slight paralysis on the right side of my body, BUT that definitely doesn’t stop me from breaking out into DANCE at ANYTIME and ANYWHERE I am a freshman in my first semester and am psyched! USC has been my dream school for as long as I can remember so when I got my acceptance letter I was bouncing off every possible wall imaginable!! My major is Broadcast Journalism at Annenberg!! Dance, CHLA, USC, and music are my life so, naturally, I HAD to get involved with TrojanDM I attended DM last year and LOVED EVERY SINGLE SECOND of it ♥! Now that I am on the Planning Committee this year I am determined to do everything in my power to make TrojanDM the best this year.

I would personally like to thank EVERYONE already on the planning committee for all their hard work they put into DM. Being in an actual meeting as a member of a committee really gave me insight into what you all do and being a CHLA patient I was that much more touched! Knowing that what we were discussing last night was all going to the benefit of patients at CHLA like me was really very heartwarming. Even though I already represent the hospital myself, seeing you, the members, contributing your ideas for the betterment of DM made me want to be a better spokesperson! I sincerely thank all of you! It really means a lot!

With that being said I hope everyone reading this (YES, YOU! I KNOW YOU’RE READING THIS!) has been inspired to register for DM on the 26th of February! Besides that being my birthday month , I hope you stop and just think of how much you would be contributing. You will not only raise funds for the hospital, but you will also help a sick child get better so they, just like me, can achieve their dreams (and come to USC! haha). Every child deserves a second chance in life, and by attending TrojanDM you are giving them that chance!

Prepare for a night of giving and fun! So whether you’re burnin the floor doin’ that jerk or just stayin’ fly like a G6 make sure you do it at TrojanDM 2.26.2011!!! Hope to see you all on the dance floor!

Peace.Love.Lollipop,
Andrea ♥