If your campus hosts a Dance Marathon, you are one of two people: you don't know what DM is, or you know all about it and love it. I have to say, people in the second category have immeasurably more fun than the first.

Dance Marathon is a cross-country movement of students raising money for children treated at Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in their area. Throughout the year, money is raised through various events all while getting to know Miracle children and families at the hospital. The Main Event, a 12 to 40-hour marathon of dancing, culminates the year to celebrate the money raised and finish strong to reach personal and collegiate goals.

We dance For The Kids (a.k.a. FTK). We dance to give hope. We dance for those who can't. But you should dance because children have the opportunity to live longer because of the money we raise. Children can have a normal childhood outside the walls of the hospital because of the funds collected through dance marathon programs across the country. Wouldn't you want to be able to say you helped make that happen?

The first Dance Marathon was organized around Ryan White, a young boy who contracted HIV/AIDS from a bad blood transfusion. It was at Indiana University where Ryan was to attend the fall after he passed away. Ryan spread awareness of accepting others who are different and impacted the world, and the first Dance Marathon raised $10,900. This year, Indiana University's Dance Marathon raised $3.2 million and Ryan's movement is still in full force.

So why am I telling you all of this? Because Dance Marathon needs you, and you could probably use some Dance Marathon, too. The beauty of life is remarkable and these children deserve to experience it. They deserve people to fight for them when they grow weary, love them enough to stand when they can't, and give hope when they need optimism.

Dance Marathon has also had a profound impact on my own life. After I experienced South Carolina's USCDM, my heart changed in more ways than I can explain. My eyes have been opened to the purpose in my life, and I have been humbled beyond explanation. Most people do not enjoy emptying their wallets, but I now find joy in donating to my local Children's Miracle Network Hospital. But some of you may say, "Well I don't have any money to donate." Well, Dance Marathon wants more than your wallet, DM wants your time, effort, and passion. And I promise, after your first experience with DM, you'll be filled with more passion and fire for the fight than you ever thought you would.

For Hope. For Love. For The Kids.