At 7:40 a.m. Sunday, in the final hour of the IU Dance Marathon, dancers made a large circle in the Tennis Center, put their arms around each other's shoulders and swayed back and forth as “Angels Among Us” by Alabama played. Images of individuals who have passed away appeared on a screen.
Dancers swayed, shed tears, buried their faces in each other and reflected on the impact of the 36-hour weekend.
After the song ended, students quickly gathered back at the stage for the final reveal. Fifteen IUDM accounting committee members lined up on stage to reveal the total amount of money fundraised in the months following the last marathon, each holding a poster displaying a number.
The crowd chanted, “Kids can’t wait,” and one by one, the committee revealed the total: “$3,058,042.23 for Riley,” the posters spelled.
IU Dance Marathon raises funds for Riley Hospital for Children, a pediatric acute care facility in Indianapolis. Since its founding in 1991, the organization has raised a total of more than $53 million for the hospital.
It funds multiple endowments towards The Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health, including the Ryan White Chair in Infectious Disease Endowment, the Ryan White Infectious Disease Endowment and the IUDM Research Endowment. As a result of the endowments, the center is fully funded and its clinical and research efforts are supported. The center treats over 2,400 patients a year and conducts research focusing on malaria and HIV.
The marathon challenged over 4,000 students to stay at the IU Tennis Center for 36 hours, which began at 8 p.m. Friday and ended at 8 a.m. Sunday. This year’s event featured speakers who shared their experiences at Riley, speeches by IU football head coach Curt Cignetti and IU President Pamela Whitten, live music and a talent show.
Students dance during the IU Dance Marathon for Riley Hospital for Children on Nov. 15, 2024, at the IU Tennis Center in Bloomington. The marathon ran from Nov. 15-17.
Sadie Kohlman, a sophomore on the IUDM marketing committee, creates graphics for the organization. She said she was a part of a similar organization in high school.
“I’ve been affected by cancer and other, many things,” Kohlman said. “My mom is a two-time cancer survivor. My dad is a heart attack survivor, and like just many things like that, where you're just grateful for amazing hospital care.”
For many, IUDM is a chance to find community and a purpose.
“I kind of found purpose by dedicating my time to something that's bigger than me,” sophomore Olivia Thomas said. “My favorite part is probably hearing all the Riley stories. I think that really puts into perspective how much what we do impacts people and helps them and keeps Riley running and keeping it the amazing place that it is.”
Senior Max Krauz has participated in IUDM for two years.
“I think for me, initially I joined to make new friends, while also doing something that was a great cause. And it's done exactly that for me,” Krauz said. “I've been able to have great friendships with a bunch of different people — alumni who are here seeing me now, younger generations who want to see me come back next year, while also being able to know that I had an impact on future generations to come.”
Krauz said even though there is a large time commitment, especially since he is on the corporate relations committee, it’s all worth it in the end to see everything come together.
Freshman Olivia Pierce is a part of the First Year Dancer Experience team as well as the Riley Development Committee, which serves as a link between Riley families and IUDM. As a “Riley kid” herself, Pierce felt it was important to give back to a cause that had given to her. Pierce received treatment for eye cancer at Riley and underwent over 30 surgeries, as well as chemotherapy.
“I am dancing because for the past 34 years, kids have been dancing for me,” Pierce said. “It’s a full circle moment so it only seems right to dance for Riley kids while I still am one as well.”
Pierce said her favorite parts of IUDM were the 12-minute morale line dance and listening to the stories from those treated at Riley.
“It’s nice to hear stories of more about Riley and how they’ve contributed to other people’s lives,” Pierce said. “That’s always really inspiring, because like my story is just one among millions.”
