Iowa State Dance Marathon

Dance Marathon began at Penn State University in 1973. By 1977 it had a set length (48 hours) and was an annual benefit for the Four Diamonds at Penn State’s Hershey Medical Center. Today “THON” is the biggest Dance Marathon in the United States and raises over $4 million annually for the Four Diamonds Fund.

Much has changed since those days and many more Universities have adopted Dance Marathon as an organization within their community.  While a few Dance Marathons still remain as independent organizations raising money for separate causes, many have partnered with Children’s Miracle Network.  Every year Dance Marathons across the nation come together to be the largest donor to Children’s Miracle Network, donating more than $5 Million in 2008 alone.

Iowa State Dance Marathon has been helping children with life threatening illnesses for 13 years, giving financial and emotional support to hundreds of families across Iowa. All of the money raised through our event is given directly to University of Iowa Children’s Hospital through Children’s Miracle Network.

The first Dance Marathon at Iowa State was held in the spring of 1998. The event was sponsored by the Greek Interfraternity and Panhellenic Governing Councils.  It was held in Beyer Hall and was only 10 hours long. The day was a great success and raised over $20,000.

Much has changed since that first Dance Marathon. Today, as the largest student run philanthropy on campus, Dance Marathon holds a 15-hour event and supports over 80 families from across Iowa. Last year, with the help of nearly 500 dancers, 130 committee members and countless volunteers, ISU Dance Marathon raised over $171,000.  Since its beginning, Dance Marathon has raised a total of $1.3 million for University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. Dance Marathon represents a life changing experience, complete with the opportunity to meet Iowa children and families who have directly benefited from University of Iowa Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network.

Each year ISU Dance Marathon continues to grow and make a larger impact on our families across Iowa.  With your help, we hope to continue this wonderful tradition of college students making a difference! Dance Marathon 2010 will be held at the Memorial Union in the Great Hall on Saturday January 23, from 9am to midnight. We would love to see you there to “Kick It For the Kids” and be a part of the largest student run philanthropic event at Iowa State University!

For more information on Iowa State University Dance Marathon, please feel free to check out our website or e-mail us at   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Children’s Miracle Network

Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) is a non-profit organization comprising of over 170 premier children’s hospitals across the US and Canada. Every year, Children’s Miracle Network hospitals treat 17 million children for every disease and injury imaginable. Children’s Miracle Network hospitals impact the lives of more children than any other children’s organization in the world. Children’s Miracle Network dollars stay local and help benefit children and families treated at University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. These funds help to provide pediatric research, patient enhancements as well as entertainment systems at the bedside, books, games and creating a home within the hospital for each child and family. For more information please check out www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org.

University of Iowa Children’s Hospital

University of Iowa Children’s Hospital is dedicated to meeting the health care needs of children and their families. Our staff members provide care across a full spectrum — from health promotion and well child care to the crisis of traumatic injury and life-threatening illness, to birth defects, chronic illness, and developmental disabilities.
University of Iowa Children’s Hospital was just ranked #20 nationally by Child Magazine on their best children’s hospital list. This nationally recognized pediatric center of excellence, providing comprehensive health care for children from birth to young adulthood in our outpatient clinics, surgical treatment and diagnostic centers, and inpatient beds.

Our staff features more than 200 physicians and surgeons with special expertise and certification in the care of children. In addition, over 400 professional nurses with special education in pediatrics are part of the UI Children’s Hospital team. They are joined by child life therapists, pediatric pharmacists, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, and other pediatric professionals to assure comprehensive, “state of the science” care for children.

Each year, University of Iowa Children’s Hospital records more than 135,000 clinic visits and some 4,000 inpatient admissions. In addition, numerous pediatric outreach and satellite clinics provide primary and specialty care for children in communities throughout Iowa. A 175-bed “hospital within a hospital,” University of Iowa Children’s Hospital benefits from the sophisticated services and comprehensive resources of University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. And as an academic teaching facility, University of Iowa Children’s Hospital prepares medical and health care leaders for the future. Get to know us as your resource and partner in caring for children. For more information please check out www.uihealthcare.com/kids.