University News

WIU Dance Marathon Raises More Than $70,000

February 16, 2016

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MACOMB, IL – Through the third annual dance marathon, students at Western Illinois University raised more than $70,800 for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, surpassing the $70,000 goal for the event. Last year's event raised $53,000, and the first event raised $22,000.

The event, a yearlong campaign to raise money and awareness, brought in $70,885 this year for St. Louis Children's Hospital and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center.

The 12-hour dance marathon honors the 12-hour shifts of doctors and nurses, as well as children who are unable to stand.

"The WIU Dance Marathon Executive Board worked long hours for a year to plan this year's main event," said Ashley Katz, Dance Marathon advisor for internal relations. "Words cannot express how proud I, along with the other advisors, are of this dedicated, passionate group of students. We went into the event this year well below our $70,000 goal. Instead of quitting, the board and all of the participants put their efforts into high gear and worked tirelessly throughout the event in order for those cards to be flipped to show $70,885.03 at the end of the night."

Katz added that this year's experience "proved to all involved that miracles can happen when passion is put into action."

"We are all grateful that the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals of the greater St. Louis area will see and feel the benefits from these students' dedicated work for the kids," she said.

Katz said planning has already started for the fourth annual WIU Dance Marathon which is scheduled for April 1, 2017. Applications for the 2017 Dance Marathon Executive Board are live on Purple Post and are due on March 1.

Additional details can be found on the WIU Dance Marathon Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/1Qj4L4K.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing