About a year ago, I wrote an article explaining why Indiana University Dance Marathon 2016 was worth the hype. Turns out I was right! Guess what? I'm here to tell you that IUDM 2017 is worth the hype too!
If you are unfamiliar to what IUDM actually is, let me throw a little knowledge your way.
In the late '80s and early '90s, Ryan White was the talk of the nation... a child who contracted AIDS from a botched blood transfusion. Because of this, he was being treated at a children's hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana that specializes in treating pediatric diseases. Near the end of the Spring of 1990, Ryan tragically passed away from the illness. He was set to attend Indiana University's Bloomington campus that fall. Ryan's family received an outpouring of support from friends, extended family, and even celebrities; most notably singer and songwriter, Elton John, whom Ryan bonded with during his courageous battle.
In memory of him, his friends that were going to attend IU with him decided to create a fundraising event for the benefit of the hospital that treated him; Riley Hospital for Children. They called it "Indiana University Dance Marathon". Since 1991, IUDM sparked the start of a phenomenon of dance marathons sprouting up in universities and high schools nationwide for the benefit of their respective state's Children's Miracle Network hospital. Since IUDM's inception, we have raised over $29 million for Riley.
Flash forward to the year 2017 and we are gearing up to make some more miracles and raise more for the patient at Riley. Last November, we surpassed $4.15 million raised, and I honestly believe that there will be an increase yet again! For me personally, it will be my first year as a subcommittee chair in the organization. I have a history with the hospital too, as I was a patient there for most, if not all, of my childhood.
A lot of things have happened since raising $4.15 million last November. Some fundraising records have been smashed, a bunch of bears jumped out of planes to show Riley kids how brave they are, and branch of the Dancer Relations committee, Executive Dancers, (a two-year-old group) won IUDM's spring "Tacky Prom" event. But there is so much more to do.
As of writing this, there is about 32 days until November 10th, 2017, the Friday the marathon starts. IUDM is more than just a weekend in November raising money for a children's hospital; its a movement. A culmination of college kids coming together for one cause. By the end of the journey, committee members become family members as they grow closer throughout the journey. IUDM is saving grace for some of our members too. I would consider myself to be in that class. Taking on a leadership role in our organization has given me a fresh perspective of what it means to be For The Kids. And it is something that I will never let leave my mind. This organization is full of humans trying to live the best possible life and make the most out of life. This organization aims for one and only one goal: raising money to give sick children a chance for a happy and healthy life. This marathon's fundraising might be the reason Riley had the resources to literally save my life and be that happy and healthy kid that I am today.
Indiana University Dance Marathon is set up for success not just in 2017, but for years to come as well. Stay with us...there are big things in store. If you want to learn more about the organization, go to www.IUDM.org!
For Ryan. For Ashley. For The Kids.
Founded in Family.
