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  • Dance Marathon In The News

    • UPDATED Program Messaging and Resources: April – June 2021

    | By hvirta

    As of March 19, 2021, this post has been updated to include messaging for April, May and June (found under the Key Dates, Themes and Content Ideas section). Additionally, the Summary section has been updated. Any new or changed sections are denoted by an asterisk*. 

     

    We’ve included a lot of info in this blog! To help you find what you’re looking for, content is grouped into the following sections:

    Purpose:

    The purpose of this document is to provide messaging, themes and ideas for Dance Marathon high school and collegiate programs to apply across all channels of communications within April – June 2021. The Miracle Network Dance Marathon team is not saying programs are required or even strongly encouraged to celebrate every single one of these recognition days. Instead, the team recommends programs identify what stories you can tell well within these dates for celebratory and awareness raising purposes.

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    *Summary:

    With Miracle Network Dance Marathon, we know that you want to make a difference in your community. When you join this empowering movement, you’re equipped to change kids’ health and change the future. 

    Like most nonprofits, children’s hospitals rely on donations and right now, the United States is facing a monumental crisis when it comes to protecting the health of future generations and children’s hospitals are on the front lines of this dilemma. But they can’t do it without you. 

    While it may feel overwhelming, you can make a difference. With more than 400 Miracle Network Dance Marathon programs across the country, students just like you have raised over $300 million since 1991 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®. Together, we are leading the charge for improving children’s health by raising critical funds needed by local hospitals.

    Here’s what you can do: register for your local Dance Marathon and pledge to raise funds by asking friends and family to donate. Then, take a step back and marvel at the impact you’ve already made through your commitment.

    So, get started and join your local Dance Marathon. See the impact in action and if you don’t have a local Dance Marathon to join, learn more about starting one up yourself. 

    Kids can’t wait so neither should you.

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    Target Audiences:

    Keep in mind who you’re reaching with your communication! A good rule of thumb is to do what you can to make them the hero of the story. Do they know what Dance Marathon is? Do they understand the urgent need for fundraising to change kids’ health, change the future? Do they recognize the local impact their dollars can make? Do they have a clear call to action within the communication they’ve received from you? (I.e., donate, register, share, etc.) Potential target audiences include team captains, returning participants, first time participants, lapsed participants, lapsed donors, local businesses or former partnerships, etc.

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    Inclusive Language Reminder:

    • Visit this 2020 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion blog post for a deeper dive into this topic
    • Focus on the whole human being using person-first language
      • For example, “Hayley, a child diagnosed with cancer” instead of “cancer patient Hayley”
    • Use empowering language (demonstrate how services have made kids healthier, stronger, removed barriers and/or helped kids reach their fullest potential) versus language geared towards “fixing, normal, regular, function, etc.”
    • Replace the word “help” with “give” in most instances.
      • For example, instead of “help kids live better,” use “give kids like Hayley a world of possibility”
    • Be careful when using the phrase “get better” when talking about kids with conditions or circumstances that are not finite, such as down syndrome, autism, etc.
    • Do not use the phrase “live better” when referencing kids or people of color or kids with disabilities. Use the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals vision statement, “change kids health to change the future” instead.
    • Do not use the phrase “heal kids;” again, use the vision statement above instead
    • Do not use the phrasing, “sick and injured kids;” instead, use phrasing like “children’s hospitals that support the health of 10 million children in the U.S. and Canada”

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    Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Talking Points:

    Research shows that individuals are more likely to donate to a cause if they understand their dollars are going to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Consider incorporating some of the below talking points, or statistics directly from your local CMN Hospital in conversations and communications. These points will help draw a connection between the work you’re doing with your local Dance Marathon program and the impact that is making at your local CMN Hospital. If you have questions or are interested in statistics related to a specific type of funding area, please reach out to your CPM.

    • Every DAY, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (in U.S. and Canada) treat:
      • 16,000 kids in the emergency room
      • 935 kids for diabetes
      • 2,218 kids for cancer
      • 925 babies in the newborn ICU (NICU)
      • 2,329 kids for surgeries
    • Every HOUR, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (in U.S. and Canada) treat:
      • 675 kids in the emergency room
      • 39 kids for diabetes
      • 92 kids for cancer
      • 39 babies in the newborn ICU (NICU)
      • 97 kids for surgeries
    • Sixty-two children enter a CMN Hospital for treatment every minute.
    • CMN Hospitals raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals that support the health of 10 million kids each year across the U.S. and Canada.
    • Donations raised through programs such as Dance Marathon go to local hospitals to fund critical life-saving treatments and healthcare services, along with innovative research, vital pediatric medical equipment, child life services that put kids’ and families’ minds at ease during difficult hospital stays and financial assistance for families who could not otherwise afford these health services.
    • With Dance Marathon benefitting CMN Hospitals, we believe that when we improve the health of all children and allow them the opportunity to reach their full potential, we also improve our communities for years to come. Together, we can change kids’ health. Together, we can change the future.
    • Funds raised by CMN Hospitals support the local member hospital. When a donor gives to a CMN Hospitals program such as Dance Marathon, those donations help fund things like medical treatments, equipment and facilities at their local CMN Hospital to improve the lives of children and families in their communities.
    • According the U.S. Census, 4.3 million children under the age of 19 did not have health insurance coverage in 2018 and another 37 million rely on Medicaid, which contributes to a large portion of uncompensated care. In 2019, CMN Hospitals raised more than $444 million, including nearly $81 million benefitting charitable care support patients in need.
    • COVID-19 statistics and talking points
      • COVID-19 has placed an unprecedented stress on the United States’ health system. The strain on hospitals is well documented, and this is also true of local children’s hospitals urgently responding to the pandemic by treating adult patients, opening drive-thru testing sites, taking extreme measures to ensure their buildings and equipment are kept clean, conducting vital research to prevent the spread of the virus and upgrading technology to move many appointments to a safe, virtual setting. They are on the frontline of this crisis, while also continuing to provide the high-quality, life-saving care that children need every day—but they can’t do it alone.
      • The cost of the above measures has affected every aspect of treatment and services offered by children’s hospitals, as employees, funds, facilities and other resources are reallocated to meet emergency needs and to conduct research to generate a viable vaccine. And as more families lose insurance coverage due to job loss, children’s hospitals are seeing increased costs in providing uncompensated care to tens of thousands of children and families dealing with economic strife and government programs unable to fully cover the cost of caring for kids. Philanthropy is crucial to ensuring our children’s hospitals can continue to provide their services in both the short- and long-term. If there was ever a time when our local children’s hospitals needed our Dance Marathon movement, it’s now.
    • In the midst of COVID-19, our hospitals are innovating and finding radical solutions:
      • Research: Children’s hospitals and their systems are actively working on developing COVID-19 treatments and vaccines including Boston Children’s Hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Seattle Children’s among many others.
      • COVID-19 Testing: Children’s hospitals are on the frontlines of testing in their communities. Many larger children’s hospitals and/or their health systems have constructed and are opening drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites.
      • Patient Services: Each year, tens of millions of children require specialized, expensive health care. Within the current crisis, many larger children’s hospitals are treating adult patients, and increasing the age range of patients served.
      • Telehealth and Technology Services will allow hospitals to provide care virtually and add technology upgrades to provide care under social distance recommendations.

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    General Messaging:

    General key messages should focus on impact, consistently driving home the clear outcomes Dance Marathon makes possible for communities and local hospitals through raising funds and awareness. Additionally, drawing connections between Dance Marathon programming and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals will help clarify the impact for audiences unfamiliar with Dance Marathon and can lead to increased opportunity for fundraising and engagement, as noted above. The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals master brand social media accounts will generally align to the following themes, meaning that often, programs can consider repurposing and/or sharing content from these channels on program pages. By aligning Dance Marathon programs with the CMN Hospitals channels and communications, we will continue to tie the two together, increasing education for potential future donors and participants.

    The specific monthly themes and content ideas can be found below. Programs are encouraged to highlight recognition days and holidays that they are able to speak to well and should not feel a need to engage with every single one of the below days.

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    Key Dates, Themes and Content Ideas:

    • April 
      • Important CMN Hospitals or Dance Marathon-specific dates:
        • Children’s Hospital Week: April 19 – 25
          • Programs are encouraged to attend and encouraged to invite their participants to do the same. Look to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Facebook page, Instagram account and Twitter feed for content to reshare, as well as the hashtag to use.
        • Distinguished Leader Awards announced: April 19 – 25
        • Holidays/recognition and awareness days:
          • National Autism Awareness Month
            • April is World Autism Month, which begins with World Autism Day on April 2.
            • Steer away from language that might suggest accomplishments = worthiness.
            • Focus on the whole human being. Use person-first language.
            • Use empowering language vs language geared towards, “fixing, normal, regular, function etc.” For example, stories can demonstrate how services have made them healthier, stronger, remove barriers, and reach their fullest potential.
          • National Child Abuse Prevention Month
            • Consider sharing out content your local hospital provides related to this topic. Given the sensitivity and the unique work many children’s hospitals conduct on behalf of child abuse victims, it’s appropriate to consider highlighting their work directly through their words versus trying to create something new related to the topic.
          • National Minority Health Awareness Month
            • This is an effort to raise awareness about health disparities that continue to affect racial and ethnic minority populations. 
            • Content on how some children’s hospitals are addressing health equity in their communities.
          • National Youth Sports Safety Month
            • Accidents are the leading cause of death for kids and young adults in the United States. They are also the most common reason children visit a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
            • When accidents happen Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are on the frontlines, providing high-quality, life-saving care to children when they need it most.
            • The unrestricted funds you raise ensures Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals have the resources they need to save kids’ lives after severe or unexpected trauma.
            • Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals treat and provide high-quality care to 16,000 kids every year through emergency rooms, many whom are victims of accidents and unexpected trauma.
          • Arab America Heritage Month
            • Celebrates the Arab American heritage and culture and pays tribute to the contributions of Arab Americans.
            • Consider content focused on Arab American people who have contributed significantly to children’s healthcare or philanthropy in some way; how some children’s hospitals are addressing health equity in their communities; could also try to tie National Arab American Heritage Month and National Minority Health Month together to create content that speaks to both.
          • April 2: World Autism Day
          • April 7: World Health Day
            • Consider talking about the importance of pediatric health and the fact that we can change the future by changing kids’ health. Children’s hospitals are the place where that can happen and thanks to fundraising programs like Dance Marathon, a brighter future is possible!
          • April 10: National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
            • Dance Marathon began in 1991 at Indiana University in honor of Ryan White, who passed away from HIV/AIDS after being the first child to publicly discuss their diagnosis. Consider honoring his legacy and the work that CMN Hospitals and DM continue to conduct.
          • Other holidays/recognition days to be aware of:
            • April 4: Easter
            • March 27 – April 4: Passover
            • April 29: International Dance Day
          • What special days or events is your local hospital celebrating this month? How might you tie into their efforts to further promote your partnership?
    • May – Key theme: Mental Health 
      • Holidays/recognition and awareness days:
        • Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
        • Food Allergy Action Month
        • National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
        • National Brain Tumor Awareness Month
          • See April’s talking points for cancer.
        • Mental Health Awareness Month
          • There is a mental health crisis in America, and it is affecting America’s youth first and foremost. According to a 2018 study, the number of school-age children and youth hospitalized for suicidal thoughts or attempts has more than doubled since 2008.
          • The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) cites attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), behavior problems, anxiety and depression as the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children.
          • Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are on the forefront of addressing the mental and behavioral health issues facing our kids. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals pioneer research and treatments related to managing mental and emotional health issues that transform how we care for children.
          • From easing the stress of procedures to providing ways for children to relieve anxiety during long stays in the hospital, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are known for their excellent delivery of care.
          • Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are also on the forefront of society’s mental health crisis. Member hospitals are researching, diagnosing, detecting and treating our kids’ mental health needs. Their commitment to improving the mental health for all kids has remained a focus during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the rates of youth and childhood anxiety and depression increase. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are committed to exceptional care and reversing the alarming pediatric mental health trends in our communities.
        • Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
          • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a period for the duration of month of May for recognizing the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
          • Consider content focused on Asian American and Pacific Islander people who have contributed significantly to children’s healthcare or philanthropy in some way.
          • Content on how some children’s hospitals are addressing health equity in their communities.
          • Could also try to try to make connections to our causes and see if there is crossover with Cystic Fybrosis Awareness Month, National Brain Tumor Awareness Month, Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, or Nurses Week which all take place in May
        • Skin Cancer Awareness Month
          • Consider highlighting stories from your local children’s hospital as it relates to skin cancer and the treatments made possible there.
        • May 9 – 15: National Hospital Week
          • An opportunity to highlight hospitals, health systems and health care workers and the innovative ways they are supporting the needs of their community members, especially during this pandemic. Think about the hospital your DM program supports and the many ways you can recognize them while driving funds to support their work.
        • May 7: Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
          • Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are on the forefront of addressing the mental and behavioral health issues facing our kids. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals pioneer research and treatments related to managing mental and emotional health issues that transform how we care for children.
          • Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are also on the forefront of society’s mental health crisis. Member hospitals are researching, diagnosing, detecting and treating our kids’ mental health needs. Their commitment to improving the mental health for all kids has remained a focus during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the rates of youth and childhood anxiety and depression increase. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are committed to exceptional care and reversing the alarming pediatric mental health trends in our communities.
        • Thurs. May 6 – Wed. May 12: Nurses Week
          • All kids at CMN Hospitals rely on nurses. If your program has a personal connection with a nurse, consider highlighting them. If you don’t have a personal connection with a nurse/nursing staff at your hospital, consider sharing your hospital’s content directly from their pages/communications.
        • Other holidays/recognition days to be aware of:
          • May 4: Star Wars Day / May the 4th/Force Be With You
          • May 9: Mother’s Day
          • May 31: Memorial Day
        • What special days or events is your local hospital celebrating this month? How might you tie into their efforts to further promote your partnership?

     

    June – Key theme: Healthcare Access & Charitable Care 

    • Holidays/recognition and awareness days:
      • LGBTQ Pride Month
        • Youth who identify as transgender or gender diverse are traditionally underserved and are, along with their families, increasingly looking to pediatric providers for guidance, education and care. In addition, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “the presence of stigma from homophobia and heterosexism [in the pediatric healthcare environment] can lead to psychological distress, which may contribute to an increase in risky behaviors.”
        • Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals recognizes LGBTQ+ youth face unique barriers in receiving care and is committed to addressing these inequities.
        • In 2019, 18 member hospitals were recognized as leaders in LGBTQ healthcare equality by the Human Rights Campaign.
        • Donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals can enhance the lives of LGBTQ+ patients’ families by helping to create an inclusive environment for all kids and families to thrive. At Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, we know that when we improve the health of one child, regardless of identity, we create a ripple effect in communities for years to come.
      • National Fireworks Safety Month
        • Accidents are the leading cause of death for kids and young adults in the United States. They are also the most common reason children visit a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
        • When accidents happen Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are on the frontlines, providing high-quality, life-saving care to children when they need it most.
        • The unrestricted funds you raise ensures Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals have the resources they need to save kids’ lives after severe or unexpected trauma.
        • Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals treat and provide high-quality care to 16,000 kids every year through emergency rooms, many whom are victims of accidents and unexpected trauma.
      • June 8: World Brain Tumor Day
      • June 14: World Blood Donor Day
      • June 19: World Sickle Cell Day
        • Sickle Cell largely affects those in the African and Caribbean communities. Consider highlighting a story of a patient treated for Sickle Cell. The month’s theme is “Healthcare Access & Charitable Care” and could look for intersection between the two for more powerful content.
      • June 19: Juneteenth
        • Also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day – is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States.
        • Highlight content regarding health equity programs at CMN Hospitals and the progress those hospitals are making toward eliminating racism in pediatric healthcare
      • Other holidays/recognition days to be aware of:
        • June 20: Father’s Day
      • What special days or events is your local hospital celebrating this month? How might you tie into their efforts to further promote your partnership?

     

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    Evergreen Content Ideas:

    • DonorDrive as a tool to grow your program: In addition to promoting this tool to your participants as a resource they should use, consider reviewing the marketing email guide blog for unique ideas.
    • Corporate partner agreement reminder: do you have any agreements with local businesses or national partners that require a certain number of posts per month/year (i.e., Love’s)? Consider this a reminder to add them into your social calendar for the month!

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    Graphics, videos and assets for use:

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    Looking Ahead – 2021 Key Dates:

    • January
    • February
      • 22: Distinguished Leader Award (DLA) applications open
    • March
      • March 22: DLA applications close
    • April
      • April 2: National incentive closes
      • April 19 – 25: Distinguished Leader Awards announced
      • April 19 – 25: Children’s Hospital Week (virtual)
    • May
      • TBD: Senior Ceremony
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
      • October 4: Child Health Day
    • November
    • December

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    Previous Key Dates, Themes & Content Ideas for February and March 2021

    • February Theme: Rare & Chronic Health Conditions (inspired by Feb. 28)
      • Important CMN Hospitals or Dance Marathon-specific dates:
        • Distinguished Leader Award (DLA) applications open: Feb. 22
          • Consider promoting this via your channels of communication to encourage applications and increase recognition of your program
        • Holidays/recognition and awareness days:
          • Black History Month: Feb. 1-28 (all month)
            • The month largely focuses on historical contributions of Black/African American people in the United States. Given the historical context, it would be more appropriate to focus content potentially on Black people who have contributed significantly to children’s healthcare or philanthropy in some way. It would also be appropriate to talk about how certain children’s hospitals are addressing health equity in their communities, or how progress has been made on diseases/conditions that disproportionately affect Black children (sickle cell anemia, for example). Those projects are a bit more time intensive and if a program cannot engage with something along those lines, then it would be better not to engage with the month than to engage with something that isn’t meaningful to the dialogue.
          • Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week – Feb. 1-7 (first week)
            • Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are on the forefront of addressing the mental and behavioral health issues facing our kids. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals pioneer research and treatments related to managing mental and emotional health issues that transform how we care for children.
            • Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are also on the forefront of society’s mental health crisis. Member hospitals are researching, diagnosing, detecting and treating our kids’ mental health needs. Their commitment to improving the mental health for all kids has remained a focus during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the rates of youth and childhood anxiety and depression increase. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are committed to exceptional care and reversing the alarming pediatric mental health trends in our communities.
          • World Cancer Day: Feb. 4
            • Has your program worked with a CMN Hospitals patient/patient family that has dealt with a cancer diagnosis before? Consider sharing their story and/or some of the following:
              • Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children in the United States.
              • Approximately 11,000 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer this year and 40,000 will undergo treatment.
              • Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are the largest provider of pediatric cancer care in the United States – providing high-quality care to more children than any other standalone or group of children’s hospitals.
              • Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is proud to partner with the country’s leading pediatric cancer treatment and research facilities, including 9 of the top 10 Best Children’s Hospitals for Cancer according to U.S. News & World Report.
            • President’s Day: Feb. 5
            • National Donor Day // Valentine’s Day: Feb. 14
            • Lunar New Year/Chinese New Year – Feb. 12 – 26
              • The master brand CMN Hospitals channels will celebrate this holiday by recognizing the fundraising partner Panda Express
            • Rare Disease Day: Feb. 28
              • Has your program worked with families or hospital programs/resources tied to rare and chronic health conditions? Can you share more with your audiences about this impact?
              • Do you have any participants who might have benefitted from CMN Hospitals fundraising as a child with a rare or chronic health condition who is willing to share their story?
            • What special days or events is your local hospital celebrating this month? How might you tie into their efforts to further promote your partnership?

     

    • March Theme: Celebrating local heroes in your community and/or Women’s History Month
      • Themes: Consider highlighting local heroes such as participants, team captains and partners, as well as executive members, doctors and nurses.
      • Important CMN Hospitals or Dance Marathon-specific dates:
        • DLA applications close: March 22
      • Holidays/recognition and awareness days:
        • Women’s History Month: March 1-31 (all month)
          • Who has played a pivotal role in your program’s success? Does your program work closely with a female advisor? Who on your exec board could be profiled? What participants have made a significant impact on your fundraising? Can you feature a female doctor from your local hospital and talk about the impact she has on your community through the care she provides for patients?
        • Brain Injury Awareness Month: March 1-31 (all month)
        • National Nutrition Month: March 1-31 (all month)
          • Note that while the talking points below focus on food insecurity, nutrition is a critical part of many diagnoses. Consider how you might activate upon this month beyond the topic of food insecurity.
          • The USDA estimates that about 14 million children in the United States are food insecure – meaning 1 in 6 children do not have access to enough food to live an active healthy life.
          • In June 2020, 16 percent of households with children reported that their children were not eating enough over the last week due to a lack of resources – the highest percentage ever reported. These rates are even higher among Black and Hispanic families: about 3 in 10 Black households with children and 1 in 4 Hispanic households with children did not have sufficient food due to a lack of resources.
          • CMN Hospitals knows that nutrition, healthy eating and overall wellness are key to a child’s development and future success. That’s why Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals provide programs including food pantries, grocery assistance, mobile food delivery and mobile farmer’s markets to make our communities and families more food secure and ensure all kids have the opportunity to grow up healthy.
        • International Women’s Day: March 8
        • National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: March 10
        • World Kidney Day: March 11
        • World Down Syndrome Day: March 21
          • An important reminder to consider how we talk about patients who have been diagnosed with Down Syndrome and the resources they use as a part of funds raised by CMN Hospitals.
        • National Poison Prevention Week: third full week of March
        • Doctor’s Day: March 30
        • Transgender Day of Visibility: March 31
      • Upcoming: Children’s Hospital Week is slated for April 19 – 25, 2021. Watch for more updates to come on how programs can engage with this event.
      • What special days or events is your local hospital celebrating this month? How might you tie into their efforts to further promote your partnership?

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