Kirkwood Community College hosted its 15th annual Dance Marathon on Feb. 28, at the Rec Center. Each spring, Dance Marathon events take place in more than 300 high schools and colleges across the United States, but Kirkwood is the only community college in the nation to host its own event.
The college partners with the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s hospital and according to Rylee May, Kirkwood Dance Marathon Club advisor, the partnership is important because the money raised helps families in need.
As part of the event, Kirkwood works with its contact at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital to connect with local families whose children have been treated for a variety of health-related issues. Those families then attend the event to tell their stories.
Hosting the Dance Marathon at Kirkwood starts with planning sessions in the fall semester and about 20 student leaders. “Leaders are responsible for deciding the fundraising goal, as well as our recruitment and family participant goal each year in the fall. This year’s goal was $20,000, which was reached and surpassed by $5,017,” Mays said.
Students get involved for different reasons. “The dance marathon is just all the electric energy of everyone being here and fighting for these kids when they can’t fight for themselves. It is something that’s really inspiring to me and just being able to make a difference,” business administration manager, Maya Whittenvaugh said.
Connor Carney, business administration management, added “The reason I joined Dance Marathon is because I would like to give back to the families because I have firsthand experience being in the hospital and know how hard it is.”
While there is a lot of dancing that happens during the event, each hour is a different theme and there are other activities such as ping pong, Jenga and basketball.
According to the Children’s Miracle Network, the Dance Marathon program was established by Indiana University in 1991, in memory of Ryan White, a teenager who planned to attend the university but died from AIDS/HIV complications following a bad blood transfusion.
Next year’s Dance Marathon will be Friday, March 6, 2026.
Categories: Campus News, News
