Costello Dances ‘For The Kids’

On March 23, Palisadian Kelley Costello and 200 dancers will hit the dance floor – where they will stay on their feet for six hours straight. And it’s all for the kids.

The dance marathon, Lights Camera Cure, is a six-hour dance party and charity event at the historic Avalon Theater in the heart of Hollywood to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research and treatment.

Hosted by the Penn State Los Angeles Alumni Chapter, the charity event is a west-coast extension of the largest student-run philanthropic event in the world.

The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, known as THON, is a year-long effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer; the number-one disease killer of children in the United States.

The year culminates with a 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon known as THON Weekend.

Costello got involved with THON during her freshmen year of college and witnessed firsthand the philanthropic event’s powerful impact on children and families affected by cancer.

“When I realized what an impact it had, I knew it was something I wanted to be part of for a long time,” Costello said. “Growing up in the Palisades, through Girl Scouts, my mom really instilled in me how important it is to help others when we can. THON was my chance to do that – and now we’re bringing it to Los Angeles.”

After graduating from Penn State, Costello returned to her west coast roots in the Palisades to attend law school at Pepperdine University.

While happy to be back in the Palisades, Costello’s Nittany Lion pride led her to join forces with the Penn State Los Angeles Alumni Chapter. In addition to helping to organize the event, she serves as the Corporate Secretary to advise on legal issues.

“It’s THON with a Hollywood flair,” Costello said of the celeb-studded event, complete with a red-carpet entrance and live performances by bands and DJs alike.

“Seeing the impact on the families up close really made an impact on me,” she said. “It’s amazing to be able to come together with former THON supporters and now the Los Angeles community to truly make a difference in the lives of these kids.”

In an effort to see Lights Camera Cure make a local impact going forward, this year Costello and the dancers have partnered with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles – making this event the first bicoastal dance marathon fundraiser in the country.

Over the last four years, Lights Camera Cure has donated more than $100,000 to the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. This year, half of the funds raised will go to CHLA, while the other half will continue to support the Four Diamonds Fund.

“After teaming up with CHLA we were able to get a lot more community and family involvement because it helps people on this coast understand what they are donating to,” Costello said. “We want to make the event a true Los Angeles event, while still keeping our tie to Penn State.”

Whether dancing for six hours or 46, on the east coast or out west, their mission is simple: to conquer pediatric cancer by providing outstanding emotional and financial support to the children, families, researchers and staff of the Four Diamonds Fund – and now, CHLA.

“When you meet these kids, when you see the families, you realize what a huge deal this is,” Costello said. “People come back year after year because they see what an impact it can have – they love this event, they love the cause and they love being a part of it all.”

Palisadians can join Costello and Lights Camera Cure by signing up to be a marathon dancer, giving a donation or partnering as an event sponsor. Spectator tickets can be bought online at lightscameracure.com.