Throughout football season, fans saw many celebrations following a big play, interception, or touchdown. Some of the most entertaining celebrations are dances, with Ickey Woods' ‘Ickey Shuffle’ and Deion Sanders’ ‘Prime Time’ being iconic examples of touchdown dances on the gridiron.
Football celebratory dances last seconds. Can you imagine shuffling or strutting for 24 hours?
University of Iowa students don’t imagine it, they do it.
Each February, UI students dance for 24 hours to raise money in support of UIHC pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant patients and their families. The Big Event requires dancers to be on their feet and forgo sleep and caffeine to honor and provide emotional support for those who endure longer and more difficult circumstances. Since its inception in 1995, UI Dance Marathon’s (UIDM) impact is astounding with over $30 million raised ‘For the Kids’ and over 1,000 families supported.
In addition to a growing number of dancers, HHP students have and are currently serving in positions such as Hospital Liaison Co-Chair, Recruitment and Retention Committee Member, Creative Committee Member, Sponsorship Director, Morale Captain, Operations Committee Member, and Family Ambassador. Their dedication to the children and families that UIDM supports is evidence to their maturity and understanding of what being a Hawkeye and serving others is all about. Below are brief descriptions from HHP students regarding each of the positions mentioned above and the role’s importance to UIDM.
Hospital Liaison Co-Chair: Though things have looked different this year, UIDM has still been able to bring joy to families currently fighting their battle in the Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Since there are no volunteers allowed in the hospital due to COVID-19, we have been able to set up various online programs to bring joy to our DM kiddos. Some of this programming includes the Dance Marathon Volunteers YouTube Channel, Zoom playtimes where we do crafts with kiddos, Zoom story times, and even a virtual Sibling Summer Camp we hosted this summer. As a committee, we have worked tirelessly to provide normalcy to the kiddos and families during this time. (section contributor: Katie Freund, TR Major pictured left)
Recruitment and Retention Committee Morale Captain: Around the same time that I became a Morale Captain, I was also accepted into the Therapeutic Recreation Program. These achievements coinciding produced the two highlights from my sophomore year. As a Morale Captain, I worked throughout the year to encourage and support the dancers of group 27. On an average week, I sent out numerous emails to help my dancers with their fundraising, sat in on committee meetings to discuss future events and deadlines, and attended dancer meetings twice a month. This position was both fulfilling and inspiring because I was able to be a light and fighter for the kiddos who are most deserving in the Stead Family Children’s Hospital. I look forward to using my skills and experience with Dance Marathon in my future whether that be more schooling or another job in the Therapeutic Recreation field. (section contributor: Emma Ostrom, TR Major)
Creative Committee Member: This is my third year in UIDM and the experience and leadership skills that I have gained from this organization are incredible. I was a dancer my freshman year, a Morale Captain my sophomore year, and this year I am part of the Creative Committee with responsibility on the Multimedia Subcommittee. My year as a Morale Captain has been the most impactful thus far. Cancer has been a bigger part of my life than it should be. After losing my aunt and my friend's mom both to ovarian cancer, I knew I had to get involved in something that would fight for families in that same situation. Dance Marathon has brought me so much joy since day one. Being able to serve this organization as a Morale Captain made my second Dance Marathon more impactful than anything I have ever done. I had the privilege of representing a family whose kiddo, Bethanie, just celebrated her 6th year of being cancer free! I fight for more stories like Bethanie’s and less that end like my aunt's. I fight for all the kiddos that are fighting for their lives. From doing the Morale Dance on stage every hour, to dancing and singing like crazy during Power Hour, to making videos to capture it all, I will cherish every last second of these past three years in the most amazing and impactful organization. (section contributor: Katherine Stadler, TR Major pictured right)
Sponsorship Director: As is the case in sport business, local and national sponsors are important contributors to an organization and its mission. For UIDM, sponsorship is the second largest financial contributor to its mission. However, UIDM sponsors are also integral in providing exposure to the Big Event, its impact, and the kiddos and families who are supported by and benefit from UIDM. The UIDM Sponsorship Committee works to identify and secure additional sponsors, but also celebrate those who have overcome adversity and who support them. (section contributor: Matt Kolarczyk, UISRM BS 2020).
Morale Captain: Throughout the Big Event, dancers must stay awake, be on their feet, and refrain from consuming caffeine for 24 hours. This is an extremely tall order. However, UIDM Morale Captains, in partnership with Lime Captains, work to uplift the spirits and energy of dancers we’re partnered with. We monitor their progress in fundraising, support sharing of content on social media, and obviously motivate and cheer on our team during the Big Event. In addition, Morale Captains communicate with kiddos and their families who are supported by UIDM and are now cancer free. (section contributor: Ryan Zydek, UISRM Major pictured left)
Morale Captain: After six years of participating in Dance Marathon, I decided to go for Morale Captain for DM27. Since I started participating in the Big Event so early on in my DM career, my Morale Captains throughout the years were the people I looked up to most. I wanted to be that person for dancers this year! This year has been nothing that any of us imagined, but being able to witness how resilient our families, our dancers, and our community is… there’s nothing quite like it. As for how Dance Marathon has impacted my career path in Therapeutic Recreation, it’s given me the countless opportunities to put myself out there and connect with others. I’ve gotten to volunteer with patients at Stead, get to know parents, and learn how impactful someone in Therapeutic Recreation/Child Life can be on a family that has been impacted by cancer. (section contributor: Molly Klutts, TR Major)
Operations Committee Member: The Operations Committee works collaboratively to execute all operations and logistics for the Big Event and other activities throughout the year. Specifically, the committee plans and coordinates all decorations for the Big Event as well as assists with sustainability efforts within UIDM. The Operations Committee's goal is to deliver a “Disney-like" experience for everyone at all UIDM events. (section contributor: Rena Roos, UISRM Minor pictured left)
Family Representative: The children and families UIDM supports endure a lot. UIDM Family Representatives are devoted to reaching out to a UIDM-supported family every few weeks to encourage them in their difficult journey with cancer. With communication, representatives often share coloring pages based on an upcoming holiday or a craft that the representative made. These actions are often motivating and heartwarming for the representative to create and share with their UIDM family. (section contributor: Jenae Marshall, UISRM Minor)
As is true with many of our lives, the 2021 Big Event felt the effects of the pandemic. Typically, the event takes place in early February at the Iowa Memorial Union. However, Dance Marathon 27 was instead a virtual dance party and celebration of the kiddos and their families just a few weeks ago.
In light of the challenges faced by UIDM and its dancers, HHP would like to offer a huge congratulations to all who contributed to Dance Marathon 27. From the Department of Health and Human Physiology, we are extremely proud of all you do For the Kids!