Superdance, the marathon 12-hour dance fundraiser to benefit cystic fibrosis research, returned to Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington this year after the event was canceled due to COVID-19. About 75 percent of the student body participated and raised $117,271.
The tradition began in 1975 after student Maura O’Donnell’s sister, Brenda, died from the disease. To honor her life, O’Connell students hosted an event to raise awareness and money for research to combat this illness and called it Superdance. Since then, the students of O’Connell have raised more than $4.5 million to help find a cure.
“Traditions are a really important part of any institution,” said senior Aine O’Reilly. “Before my freshman year, I didn’t know anything about CF (cystic fibrosis). So, being able to contribute to something worthwhile while rewarding the kids my age is truly inspirational.”
