Riley Dance Marathon Celebrates $50 Million Raised
The Miracle Network Dance Marathon movement began at Indiana University in 1991. In the 27 years since, the movement has grown to colleges and universities across the country. In the state of Indiana alone, Dance Marathon has spread to over 115 high schools, colleges and universities who all raise funds for their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Riley Hospital for Children. Since 1991, these programs have collectively raised $50 million for Riley Hospital for Children.
Keep reading below to learn something unique about each of the collegiate Dance Marathon programs that helped hit this $50 million milestone!
Indiana University Dance Marathon (IUDM)
Founded: 1991, First Riley Dance Marathon
Location: Bloomington, Indiana
IUDM is the nation’s oldest and largest Miracle Network Dance Marathon. Student Jill Stewart started IU Dance Marathon in honor of her friend, Ryan White who died from AIDS the year before. Since its founding, IUDM has raised over $32 million. IUDM currently supports the Wells Center for Pediatric Research at Riley Hospital for Children.
IUDM’s annual 36 hour event is happening from November 2nd through 4th. You can check out a live stream of the marathon by visiting www.iudm.org.
Jagathon at IUPUI
Founded: 2001
Location: Indianapolis, IN
During their Dance Marathon event, Jagathon students participate in the “Run to Riley.” Since Riley Hospital for Children is actually on the IUPUI campus, students run from the event space to the hospital and back. Jagathon is the only dance marathon in the country that runs to the hospital they support.
Butler University Dance Marathon (BUDM)
Founded: 2002
Location: Indianapolis, IN
BUDM hosts an annual event, (h)OUR BUDM during Family Weekend. Students are able to share one hour of the Dance Marathon experience with friends and family. This includes food, an entertainment act, learning a piece of the line dance, a family story, and a Miracle Minute fundraising challenge It is a successful fundraiser, but also gives families a glimpse into what the hype around Butler University Dance Marathon is all about.
Purdue University Dance Marathon (PUDM)
Founded: 2005
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
PUDM has a great relationship with Purdue Athletics. Riley Families are invited to private events with Purdue Athletics and to attend home games. The Purdue Baseball team hosts a game in PUDM’s honor each year – this year they wore custom FTK (For the Kids) jerseys that they later auctioned off to benefit PUDM. This semester, some of the Riley kids got the opportunity to practice with the men’s basketball team (see photo below).
Purdue’s annual 18 hour event is happening on November 10th and 11th. You can check out a live stream of the marathon by visiting www.pudm.org/live.
Saint Mary’s College Dance Marathon (SMC DM)
Founded: 2006
Location: Notre Dame, Indiana
SMC DM includes students from three campuses: Saint Mary’s College, Holy Cross College, and Notre Dame University. With the three schools being in a three-mile radius, these students are able to create a tri-campus event community event hosted by Saint Mary’s College.
University of Indianapolis Dance Marathon (UIndy DM)
Founded: 2007
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
UIndy DM keeps up great relationships with their Riley Kids and keep them involved in their events throughout the year. This year, Riley Kid Mia was able to be an honorary captain for the UIndy Football game against Wayne State. She was definitely a good luck charm as the Greyhounds were able to win 28-6.
Ball State University Dance Marathon (BSUDM)
Founded: 2008
Location: Muncie, Indiana
BSUDM is proud that the money they raise goes to two specific things at Riley Hospital for Children: the Magic Castle Cart program and the Palliative Care Team. The Magic Castle Cart program has volunteers who distribute more than 20,000 gifts to patients, siblings and parents annually. The Pediatric Palliative Team provides specialized medical care for children with serious illnesses. They focus on providing relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness—whatever the diagnosis. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the child and the family.
StateDM (Indiana State University)
Founded: 2009
Location: Terre Haute, Indiana
This year is the 10 year anniversary of StateDM. During Child Health Day they pulled a wagon around the fountain at the center of their campus for 10 hours to raise awareness and celebrate 10 years of Dance Marathon. For their efforts on Child Health Day, StateDM was recognized as a top fundraising program by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Southern Indiana Dance Marathon
Founded: 2010
Location: Evansville, Indiana
SIDM has a strong history of support for the Scheller Family. Clare Scheller is an alumni of Southern Indiana Dance Marathon and a former patient of Riley Hospital for Children. SIDM has a tradition to celebrate ‘Clare’s Day’ each year to honor her battle with leukemia and challenge their campus to sign up and fundraise for Riley.
DePauw University Dance Marathon (DPUDM)
Founded: 2013
Location: Greencastle, Indiana
DePauw University and Wabash College have one of the oldest college football rivalries in the country called the Monon Bell Classic. These two Dance Marathon programs decided to use the week of this rivalry for some friendly competition. The two programs compete to see who can raise the most funds for Riley.
Franklin College Dance Marathon
Founded: 2013
Location: Franklin, Indiana
Franklin College has a unique fundraising event every year – a Date Auction! Attendees can bid to win a date with a representative from different organizations across campus. Each date comes with a gift card to a local restaurant and all of the proceeds go to Franklin College Dance Marathon.
Hanover College Dance Marathon
Founded: 2014
Location: Hanover, Indiana
Another unique and fun fundraiser is coming from Hanover College Dance Marathon. During finals, their organization hosts an event called “Queso for Kids.” Organization members will deliver chips and queso to students who are studying on campus. Queso and raising money For the Kids? Talk about a win-win!
Wabash Dance Marathon
Founded: 2015
Location: Crawfordsville, Indiana
Along with being one of the newest Indiana Dance Marathon programs, Wabash is also a men’s college which means they have an all-male dance marathon!
Indiana Wesleyan University Dance Marathon (IWUDM)
Founded: 2017
Location: Marion, Indiana
As the newest addition to the Indiana Dance Marathon family, Indiana Wesleyan University Dance Marathon has already made a splash with their fundraising. In their first two years, IWUDM has already raised over $41,000 for Riley Hospital for Children. With such a strong foundation, we are all excited to see what this program will do next!
