Click on a heading below to expand or collapse its contents.
Dancer Questions
What is Dance Marathon?
Dance Marathon is a year round student run organization that works to support cancer patients being treated at University of Iowa Children's Hospital. Dance Marathon volunteers work to raise funds to support the entire family. Dance Marathon culminates with a 24 hour long Big Event in February. The Big Event is a tribute to the fight against cancer that these children face.
Even though $400 sounds like a lot, its not very hard to do! There are many ways to raise you money – from canning downtown on a weekend night, to writing letters to family members asking for donations. Take advantage of our online giving system, as well. You can email friends and family and ask them to visit your own online giving page. This means you can raise your money without even getting out of your chair!
For more information on money raising tips, visit our fundraising page.
There are nearly 300 leadership opportunities within Dance Marathon, and there is definitely something for everyone. All majors can find a place in Dance Marathon that can benefit them! From being a morale captain, on the business committee, or family relations, there is something for everyone! Leadership is selected for the next year right after the BIG Event in February, so watch our website for information to apply. Click here to read more about specific opportunities.
Yes, or at least you are strongly encouraged to do so! Dance Marathon is a really incredible experience that is hard to put into words until you actually experience it for yourself! During the 24 hours you will experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, but it is one of the most rewarding and exciting experiences you will ever have. The event closes with power hour, which is a very high energy, indescribable wrap up the event.
I'm a terrible dancer, why would I want to be a part of Dance Marathon?
To start off, there's a LOT more to Dance Marathon than just dancing! And aside from that, no one cares what you look like dancing or what kind of moves you have because everyone is there for the kids! It's all for the cause and to show our support for the families.
Aside from that, dancing is not the only thing that goes on at Dance Marathon. There are many different kinds of entertainment at the Big Event, including live bands, games, meeting lots of people, prizes, family stories and much more!
Definitely not. Dance Marathon is most known for the BIG Event in February, but the organization is busy with activities YEAR ROUND. Throughout the year Dance Marathon hosts family events, social activities, and fundraising activities. Dance Marathon is what you make it. You can be as involved as you like! Visit our calendar to learn more about what is currently going on.
You can start by getting signed up today! Traditionally, most people get involved their first year by signing up to be a dancer. Once you get signed up you will be assigned a morale captain who will help make sure you are able to raise you money, plan social activities for you and your group to meet people, and help keep you informed of what's happening with the organization. To attend the BIG Event dancers must raise $400 with a $25 registration fee. After participating your first year, if you are interested there are tons of ways to get more involved on our leadership team. You can become a family representative, a morale captain, or a chair position, or eventually possibly even the executive council!
Not a problem! Once you sign up, you will be assigned to a morale group and a morale captain. Your morale captain will plan social events which will give you a chance to meet other people in your group prior to the BIG Event.
Or, even better, invite all of your friends to sign up to be a dancer as well!
Who are the families that Dance Marathon supports?
The families that Dance Marathon supports are all children who are receiving treatments right here in Iowa City at University of Iowa Children's Hospital. Dance Marathon specializes in supporting pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant patients.
