Dance Marathon In The News
This post is updated regularly with recent mentions of Miracle Network Dance Marathon programs, leaders and participants in the news.
April 2022
Elmira College Dance Marathon
WENY News
April 30, 2022
A glimpse inside: “The Elmira College Dance Marathon took place all day on the campus’s center lawn in Elmira College. The event is a student-led movement that supports Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Families and students celebrated during the marathon with lawn games, a candy bar, tie-dying and dancing. Advisor and organizer Sydney Stringham says students raise funds all year long for Arnot Ogden Medical Center. The goal is to raise $10,000.”
BG FFA raises money for Children’s Hospital during Bobcat-A-Thon
BG Indepdent News
April 23, 2022
A glimpse inside: “Bobcat-A-Thon, Bowling Green FFA’s Annual Philanthropic Event for Nationwide Children’s Hospital-Toledo, was held this year on March 5 … Dance Marathon is a nationwide movement involving college and high school students at more than 450 schools – all raising money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Students spend a year planning the event while raising funds and gathering awareness for kids and families experiencing pediatric illness … To date, since 2004, the BG FFA has raised and donated $71,643.35 to Mercy Children’s Hospital.”
University of West Florida Dance Marathon raises over $55K for Children’s Miracle Network [Hospitals]
Pensacola News Journal
April 21, 2022
A glimpse inside: “The 10th annual University of West Florida Dance Marathon at Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred Heart recently raised $55,694 in support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.”
Dance Marathon raises money for Akron Children’s Hospital
CantonRep.com
April 17, 2022
A glimpse inside: “The annual Cavathon dance-a-thon, held March 26 at the Cecchini Center, surpassed its goal of $20,000 and raised the second-highest amount in its eight-year history – with nearly $35,000 in donations for Akron Children’s Hospital … As a fundraising program, each campus’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon organization works throughout the year to raise funds and awareness to change kids’ health and change the future for their Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.”
Elmira College Dance Marathon Returns Next Saturday
WENY News
April 17, 2022
A glimpse inside: “Elmira College is hosting their annual Dance Marathon this upcoming Saturday. The director of the marathon, Annabelle Schmitte, has high hopes for this year’s goal. She hopes marathon members can raise $10,000 this year. The event is a student-led movement to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.”
BomberTHON raises funds thanks to the efforts of IC student-athletes
BollyInside
April 16, 2022
A glimpse inside: “BomberTHON raised $34,221.92 last year, and entered this fundraising period with a goal of $30,000. For the third straight year of the event, the organization surpassed its fundraising goal, announcing at the conclusion of the dance marathon that $31,220.22 was raised.”
March 2022
5 Things to Know About Knight-Thon 2022
UCFToday
March 14, 2022
A glimpse inside: “What is Knight-Thon? Knight-Thon is a national Miracle Network Dance Marathon movement that raises funds all year-round for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. At UCF, Knight-Thon raises funds for Orlanda Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and culminates in its main event – a 20-hour dance marathon – each spring. Every cent raised goes towards the hospital’s greatest need at the time. This includes medical treatments, care and research, as well as everyday items to make the hospital feel more comfortable for its patients.”
Hope College students dance for 24 hours straight for Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
WZZM 13 News
March 5, 2022
A glimpse inside: “[Hope College student Madeline] Puckett is the events director, and has been involved every year of her college career. She says her favorite part of the event each year are the ‘Miracle Families,’ parents and children who receive treatments at Helene DeVos Children’s Hospital and directly benefit from ever cent raised.”
February 2022
Leon’s Dance Marathon partners with FSU women’s soccer to ‘kick it’ for miracles
Tallahassee Democrat
Feb. 26, 2022
A glimpse inside: “Leon High School’s Dance Marathon and the Florida State Seminoles Women’s Soccer team hosted a ‘Kickin’ it for Miracles’ kickball tournament Friday. Eight teams made up of ‘miracle kids,’ their families, members of the FSU women’s soccer team, community members and Leon students kicked off the tournament in the afternoon at Leon High School to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals across the country.”
Youngstown State University hosting dance marathon for Akron Children’s Hospital
WFMJ
Feb. 26, 2022
A glimpse inside: “Youngstown State University’s Guinathon is back to raise money for Akron Children’s Hospital. Guinathon is a group of Youngstown State students who host a dance marathon ever year to support Miracle Families. Guinathon is one of the largest fundraisers in the area, and has been helping the Mahoning Valley Akron Children’s Hospital since 2016.”
Danceathon event at MSU planned to benefit Shodair Children’s Hospital
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Feb. 25, 2022
A glimpse inside: “The Montanathon Dance Marathon will benefit Shodair Children’s Hospital, a 74-bed hospital in Helena that provides acute, residential and outpatient psychiatric care for children and teens. Shodair is Montana’s only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital … ‘This is a great way to fundraise but also a great way to make kids in a children’s hospital feel loved and cared for,’ Van Allen said.”
University of Iowa’s Dance Marathon 28 pushes all-time total raised over $33 million
The Clinton Herald
Feb. 22, 2022
A glimpse inside: “More than 900 current University of Iowa students participated in the 28th annual student-led Dance Marathon, generating more than $1.3 million for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. The final tally raised by the students was $1,361,184, a total that pushed the amount of support generated by Dance Marathon over the course of its history to more than $33 million.”
Hawkathon event supports Saint Francis Children’s Hospital
The Northeastern
Feb. 22, 2022
A glimpse inside: “‘I have been affected by Dance Marathon in a positive way and have also seen it happen to so many other students around campus who have become involved with Dance Marathon as well,’ said Lindsey Bean, NSU Dance Marathon director. ‘It gives people a chance to strive for something bigger than themselves and provide lifesaving care to children in need. The first time I attended a Hawkathon, I knew the bare minimum but when I left, I could feel a fire was lit under me and could not wait to help plan the event the next year.’
UGA Miracle’s annual dance marathon raises over $1 million
The Red & Black
Feb. 21, 2022
A glimpse inside: “From Saturday to Sunday, UGA Miracle hosted its 27th annual dance marathon in the University of Georgia’s Tate Grand Hall. By the end of the event, which is thrown to fundraise for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a total of $1,167,175.22 was raised.”
University of Alabama Dance Marathon Raises More than $250,000 for Children’s Hospital
TuscaloosaNews.com
Feb. 21, 2022
A glimpse inside: “‘I hope BAMAthon served as a reminder to our participants that while they may just be one student on this large campus, they can make an everlasting impact on the lives of kids at Children’s of Alabama,’ said Grace Muncy, president of UA Dance Marathon.”
Westfield High School Dance Marathon aims to raise $100K
The Current
Feb. 8, 2022
A glimpse inside: “Westfield High School Dance Marathon President Maya Francisco has a goal of raising more than $100,000 for Riley Hospital for Children. That would top the previous record of more than $96,000 set in 2020.”
December 2021
Michigan football player J.J. McCarthy donates $1,000 to UNL charity benefiting Omaha hospital
Omaha World-Herald
Dec. 8, 2021
A glimpse inside: “A University of Michigan football player has donated $1,000 to an effort that benefits Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha. It’s one of many donations he has made from money he has received thanks to the new name, image, likeness (NIL) rule in college sports. According to the post, the $1,000 was donated through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Dance Marathon that benefited Children’s Hospital. The hospital is part of the Children’s Miracle Network.”
September 2021
A glimpse inside: “West Orange High School took the first step in raising advocacy and support for childhood cancer programs and research on Wednesday, Sept. 22 … through Warriorthon. Warriorthon is a dance marathon hosted by the SGA to raise money for the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.”
The Tribune
Sept. 17, 2021
A glimpse inside: “Thumbs up to the 74 Seymour High School seniors who purchased parking spots at the school. After paying $40, the students were allowed to paint their parking spot to show off their personalities or interests. This year’s project raised about $3,000, which will be added to the school’s total raised by the Riley Dance Marathon on Nov. 20. Since 2014, students have raised $88,487.40 to support Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.”
July 2021
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ Events to Become Mobile-Friendly With Launch of DonorDrive New App
Non-Profit Pro
July 27, 2021
A glimpse inside: “One of [CMN Hospitals’] largest peer-to-peer events is the Miracle Network Dance Marathon, a movement that unites high school, college and university students in raising funds and awareness for children’s hospitals. When the Salt Lake City-based nonprofit held a contest for new and big ideas to grow the program last year, Louisiana State University suggested a new mobile app to replace its existing solution. The result: The nonprofit teamed up with its digital fundraising platform partner, DonorDrive, to bring that pitch to fruition and transform the way nonprofits fundraise. DonorDrive recently released this new app that will allow anyone to make an impact for nonprofit causes within minutes.”
DonorDrive Launches New Mobile App to Transform the Way People Fundraise for Nonprofits
PR Newswire
July 19, 2021
A glimpse inside: “‘Within Miracle Network Dance Marathon, we know our participants want to make a difference in their communities and this app enables them to do that and more for CMN Hospitals,’ said Maureen Carlson, Chief Programs and Marketing Officer, CMN Hospitals. ‘We’re confident that while LSU students may have pitched the idea for the app – to which we couldn’t be more grateful – that more than 300,000 Dance Marathon participants across the U.S. and Canada are thrilled at the convenience and capabilities this mobile platform holds. Our partnership with DonorDrive continues to transform fundraising, while also underscoring the role we all play in changing kids’ health and changing the future.'”
June 2021
Raider Nation Dance Marathon Raises $5,500+ for Children’s Specialized Hospital
Tap INTO Scotch Plains/Fanwood
June 12, 2021
A glimpse inside: “In total, SCN raised $5,512.01 for Children’s Specialized Hospital. ‘It feels awesome to give back to the community. I am looking forward to future Dance Marathons and starting a new tradition,’ Klausner said.”
May 2021
West Virginia University student honored for efforts to help raise $193K for WVU Medicine Children’s
WVNews
May 10, 2021
A glimpse inside: “A West Virginia University student who helped raise more than $193,000 for WVU Medicine Children’s via MountaineerTHON is being honored for her efforts by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Lily Clair, a WVU senior, is among 27 graduating college or high school student leaders nationwide selected to receive the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon program.”
Miracle Network Dance Marathon’s Distinguished Leadership Award
Connecticut Patch
May 3, 2021
A glimpse inside: “‘As someone who grew up with multiple chronic illnesses, this award, and being able to give back to Connecticut Children’s for all that they do, means more than anyone could ever know,’ Sweeney said. ‘QTHON has changed my life in the best possible way, making this sick little boy into a man with a mission.'”
April 2021
Miracle Maker – Amanda Parsons
Her Campus
April 30, 2021
A glimpse inside: “’Funds raised throughout the year can have a dramatic effect on the patients and families at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,’ said Amanda. ‘I quickly learned how valuable Dance Marathon is in the community and knew that I wanted to continue this while at Mason.'”
UMMC Leaders Salute Mississippi College 2021 Dance Marathon
The Clinton Courier
April 29, 2021
A glimpse inside: “Mississippi College’s 2021 Dance Marathon was a huge success. A record total of nearly $110,000 was raised to support the Children’s of Mississippi Hospital.”
WD students celebrate community service with projects across county
Telegraph Herald
April 29, 2021
A glimpse inside: “Camdyn Reisner, of Dubuque, celebrated her 15th birthday by making an appearance at the Dance Marathon. Camdyn, who has physical and cognitive delays, has been going to the Stead Family Children’s Hospital her whole life for multiple surgeries and treatments. Her mother, Mandy Reisner, said the family loves attending Dance Marathons throughout the area and seeing people give back to the hospital that saved Camdyn’s life.”
Student leader makes impact beyond expectation
The Northeastern
April 27, 2021
A glimpse inside: “’My favorite memory from DM was the day after Hawkathon,’ said York. ‘It felt so good to know that we did everything we could to raise money for the kids at Saint Francis. I was extremely proud of myself and the board for all the hard work we put in this year. It was difficult to get donations this year due to COVID-19, but we exceeded our goal by over $4,000.'”
OwlThon at FAU Adapts for COVID-19 Safety
Campus Rec Mag
April 27, 2021
A glimpse inside: “Florida Atlantic University (FAU) held its annual Miracle Network Dance Marathon known as OwlThon in March 2021… During the first event in 2014, OwlThon raised $6,000. This year, it raised over $100,000. In fact, since its inception OwlThon has raised over $1.2 million for the local hospital.”
Virtual Jagathon raises over $360K for Riley Hospital for Children
News at IUPUI
April 27, 2021
A glimpse inside: “Not even a pandemic could keep the ‘miracle-makers’ — IUPUI students who participate in Jagathon — from executing their mission of raising money for patients at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health… The student leaders of Jagathon gathered at Carroll Stadium for the big reveal of the year’s work — $363,702.25 raised, which represents the fourth largest annual fundraising total for the program in its 20-year existence.”
QU senior wins leadership award
The Hour
April 26, 2021
A glimpse inside: “Quinnipiac University senior and Brookfield native Jonathan Sweeney has been selected as one of 27 students at 400 schools across the country and Canada to receive a leadership award for the Miracle Network Dance Marathon.”
Hatterthon Hero
Stetson Today
April 23, 2021
A glimpse inside: “During the past year, the effort Jake Sadoway ’21 led at Stetson faced ‘unimaginable obstacles’ caused by the pandemic, as he described earlier this spring. Sadoway, executive director of Stetson’s Dance Marathon (Hatterthon) program, then followed that comment by stating the collective effort of his group also resulted in $87,020.21 being raised — more than ever previously.”
FAU’s OwlThon Raised over $100,000 for The Children’s Miracle Network
The Boca Raton Tribune
April 14, 2021
A glimpse inside: “The University of Florida Shands Children’s Hospital commended FAU and OwlThon’s successful, and safe, event. In their press release, they congratulated their team on their ability to raise a total of $105,475.83 with over $21,671 being raised in 26 hours.”
March 2021
Over 75,000 miracles granted: Cowboython event raises money for Oklahoma families
The O’Colly
March 31, 2021
A glimpse inside: “A milestone that the organization passed this year was that the total sum that has been raised in all the years combined passed the one million dollar mark.”
Over $1 Million Raised During This Year’s HuskyTHON Event
NBC Connecticut
March 21, 2021
A glimpse inside: “Over $1 million was raised for the kids and families at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center during this year’s HuskyTHON event. Over 2,500 students danced both virtually and in-person to celebrate the year-long fundraising effort.”
Elyse Meardon of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals: 5 Things You Need To Know To Successfully Run a Live Virtual Event
Medium.com
March 5, 2021
A glimpse inside: “Always start with end user experience in mind. All too often teams (and I’m certainly guilty of this) design events for what they think will be the best experience, something trendy and cool. But what do the end users actually want or need? Is your organization helping them meet a need in their life, or providing them an exclusive opportunity they wouldn’t have otherwise? If not, an event might not be the best use of time.” – Elyse Meardon (read more at the link above)
February 2021
Articles to come.
January 2021
Articles to come.