Dance Marathon is a nation-wide organization for high schools and colleges at more than 250 schools across the U.S., all of who raise money for their local Children's Miracle Network community. An entirely student-run organization that not only fundraises for Children's Miracle Network, but touches hearts and inspires those along the way.
Now 13.1 hours is a long time to be on your feet, a long time to dance and a long time to soak in everything you are experiencing. By the end you are exhausted, you're emotional, you're sore, you're happy, but for me I was inspired. During the event I was having the time of my life, dancing, having fun, spending time with all my friends, taking pictures, getting to know the Miracle kids, and then each family would go up and tell their story. I would be lying if I said a tear didn't roll down my cheek as I heard each story told: difficult pregnancies, countless surgeries, hope lost and then found, lives lost, and the impact Dance Marathon has had not only on the kids but the families.
Music filled the room, finding it's way into each and every corner, and just as a family would go up to tell their story, the whole room would fill with silence as inspiration consumed me and emotions empowered me for each hour after that.
It wasn't the strobe lights or the glow sticks that lit up the room, it was the smiles, the laughter, the joy everyone felt when a child who was told they would never walk, rode a bike around the gym. Pure happiness from families, kids and every dancer out there.
Exhaustion finally started to set in around 9 p.m., and then everything changed. We watched as members of the Dance Marathon got up on stage and donated their hair, for the kids. Girls and guys shaved their heads, for the kids. Everything you do at Dance Marathon is for the kids.
It was getting later and emotions were high, anticipation was killing everyone (including my feet) and then the candlelight ceremony began, to honor those kids who have passed. Hundreds of candles were raised in the air as we took a moment of silence. Stories were told of those lost and tears escaped from everyone's eyes while we took in all the emotions those families have felt. Then, all of a sudden, it was the last hour.
We pushed through, not resting, dancing until it was time for the reveal; so much anticipation, 13.1 hours of dancing had lead up to this final moment. Each person on the leadership team slowly raised a number until the total is finally shown.
$201,332.68
The leadership team was sobbing, dancers were cheering, kids were smiling and me, I was in awe. My feet were swollen, exhausted, ready to take a shower, but I took in that moment and let it fill me completely. We had raised over 201k for the kids. We danced 13.1 hours for the kids. Everything that day we did was for them and I couldn't have been more inspired or proud to be part of such an amazing opportunity or organization.
We partied, we danced, we rocked: for the kids. #MIZFTK
