Behind the scenes of Ohio’s largest student-run philanthropy organization

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Behind the scenes of Ohio's largest student-run philanthropy organization

BuckeyeThon leader reflects on raising over $870,000 for childhood cancer research

Just hours after the bells of Carmen Ohio chimed at the Ohio Union Saturday, celebrating BuckeyeThon's announcement of the $872,919.13 raised for Nationwide Children's Hospital's Hematology, Oncology and Bone & Marrow Transplant Unit, student leaders were already back at work preparing for the 2026-27 fundraising cycle.

"BuckeyeThon is always in the planning phase," said Serena-Jenna Rabi, BuckeyeThon's outgoing executive vice president. "Dance marathon planning starts the day after the dance marathon ends."

BuckeyeThonis one of the most recognizable organizations at The Ohio State University. The largest student-run philanthropy organization in the state of Ohio, BuckeyeThon has raised over $15 million for childhood cancer research and related causes since its founding in 1999 and is best known for its annual fundraising dance marathon.

"We like to say that BuckeyeThon, specifically the dance marathon, is an Ohio State bucket list item," Rabi said. "BuckeyeThon is part of the Ohio State blood."

What many don't see, however, is the months of planning and labor that bring BuckeyeThon to life each year. With support from Student Life staff, the organization is led by nearly two dozen student leaderswho receive on-the-job training on running a multi-million-dollar nonprofit.

"We're exposed to all these professional scenarios and skills that you end up using every day once you graduate," Rabi said. "As a future physician, I never thought that I would need that kind of knowledge going into medical school or need it in college at all. But I think learning how to work with people, dealing with problems, making decisions and figuring out how to implement new ideas is all so valuable."

A senior health sciences major, Rabi attended her first dance marathon at age 8 alongside her mother, Rolla Abu-Arja, MD, who is now the clinical director for Nationwide Children's blood and marrow transplant team. Hooked on giving back, Rabi participated in BuckeyeThon's Youth Philanthropy program at Olentangy Liberty High School before rising from a general body member to executive vice president in her time at Ohio State.

"My job is to make sure that our five vice presidents are making decisions and doing things that will accomplish the three goals that we set at the beginning of the year: to recruit, to fundraise and to advocate for the kids," Rabi said.

In practice, that means Rabi oversees a variety of operations, including advertising BuckeyeThon to students; reaching out to community partners and dance marathon performers; liaising with champion families who benefit from the fundraising; and planning events like Day of Miracles and the BuckeyeThon 5K.

"We reach out to people and companies from all over Columbus," Rabi said. "We literally send hundreds of emails every year."

As a result, Rabi says, the BuckeyeThon leaders become very effective at communicating and making meaningful connections.

"I've built relationships with students, younger kids, our champion families and nearly all Ohio State Student Life staff. It just expands your network so much," Rabi said. "You have something to learn from everybody, no matter who they are, and that is one key thing BuckeyeThon has taught me."

From emails to event planning, all are undertaken in pursuit of BuckeyeThon's primary goal: raising at least $1 million each year. However, Rabi says the organization's underlying mission extends beyond any dollar figure.

"Our true goal is to create future philanthropists. We want to introduce people to philanthropy at a young age in college and show them that it's simple to raise money by using your networks, utilizing peer-to-peer fundraising techniques and standing up for something that you believe in," Rabi said. "That's something Ohio State encourages of its students and hopes that they continue to do once they graduate."

As she looks ahead to starting medical school in the fall, Rabi fully intends to carry out this mission herself.

"No matter where I'm at, I will be coming back to BuckeyeThon as an alum and giving back through mentorship, fundraising and advocacy," Rabi said. "I hope to come to next year's dance marathon, too."

Even so, she is excited for the next generation of BuckeyeThon leaders to step into their roles and encourages all students to get involved in the organization.

"It is so much more than just a dance marathon," Rabi said. "It is a way to start engaging in philanthropy at a young age and hopefully be inspired to do that for the rest of your life."

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