Movers and shakers

Dance Marathoners break records with style

etting an example for philanthropic campaigns at the University, more than 200 students and faculty stayed on their feet for thirty hours to benefit children's hospitals at the third annual Dance Marathon. Culminating a year of effort on behalf of this weekend's event, 206 dancers helped earn $107,340 for child rehabilitation programs at Ann Arbor's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital and Royal Oak's William Beaumont Hospital.

These dancers were only part of a campus-wide endeavor that included well over 1,000 University affiliates. Although around 30 universities across the country participate in similar events, the efforts of dancers, organizers, morale officers, sponsors and other key contributors throughout the year should be congratulated for creating the most successful Dance Marathon at the University so far.

The Dance Marathon was successful not just in raising more than $100,000 for the first time in its history at the University, but also for bringing together a diverse group of University affiliates and increasing awareness of current problems with children's health care by allowing students to meet those affected by their efforts. Many of the families who will benefit from the money raised this weekend were present to show their appreciation and offer personal accounts of how important the efforts of Dance Marathon have been to them. Children were able to participate in games and other events during the 30 hour period including dancing and wheel chair basketball.

Formerly associated with the Children's Miracle Network - to which most Dance Marathons around the country affiliate with - the University's program decided to break their ties with this national organization in order to direct their funds at improving local child health facilities like C.S. Mott and William Beaumont. Their success is incredibly important in supporting various physical and occupational rehabilitation efforts that are usually not covered by insurance. Everyone who contributed this year to the Dance Marathon should be congratulated for working towards providing essential health care procedures to families that otherwise would not be able to afford them.