This past weekend was my first-ever in-person Dance Marathon! Dance Marathon is the largest student organization on campus, and its efforts are entirely to help financially and emotionally support children and their families at Stead Family Children’s Hospital for cancer treatment or a bone marrow transplant. I have been in this amazing organization for 3 years now, and every year I am truly amazed at how hard a group of college students can work. Together, this year alone, UIDM raised $1,174,008.29 all for kids and their families.
Throughout the 24-hour event, students are challenged to not sleep, drink caffeine, or sit. There are many monumental ceremonies that change perspectives on how challenging the battle the families UIDM supports go through. Ceremonies honor kids who have passed away from their cancer battle, honor those who have gone through five years of treatment, share the experience of the siblings of cancer patients, honor those willing to donate their hair to make a wig for cancer patients, honor fundraising fanatics in the organization, honor those that ran a marathon for miracles, and so much more. Notably, every hour there is a family speaker, someone who shares their heartfelt story on how cancer has affected their (child’s) life. Captains of the many miracle groups also dance once an hour to lift everyone’s spirits, keep smiles on faces, and fundraising high.
While taking over the entire Iowa Memorial Union, students are free to not only experience these main stage ceremonies and acts, but they can also make their experience what they wish. From playing games with kids, rocking out in a silent disco room, making arts and crafts, connecting with their miracle group’s family, taking many photos in photo booths, and more, there is truly something for everyone during this event.
Scroll through the official Dance Marathon pictures here to get a glimpse of the excitement or check out just a few of my own crazy pictures below!
I would do anything for UIDM. This organization has brought me so many opportunities to open my heart to the kids and families we support, make friends, build a bigger “why,” and so much more. Staying up 24 hours, saying goodbye to a foot and a half of hair, and fundraising that much is some hard work, but if I have learned anything this year, it’s that there is nothing a group of college students can’t do.
Personally, thank you to all my donors, my co-captains, my dancers, my team, my DM family, and everyone who supported me every step of this journey. You all truly have my heart. If I could dance with you all night long again, I would! I can’t wait to see you next year, group 2 forever!
KIDS CANT WAIT!
