What is Dance Marathon?

Four years ago, I saw the words "IU Dance Marathon" written in chalk for the first time. I wondered what it was, but never took the opportunity to find out. The following year I was signed up to be a dancer. I had no idea that Oct. 25, 1998, my entire college life would be changed. \nI showed up at the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building and found the only person I knew at the marathon. After 35 hours of dancing to the best bands from around Bloomington, meeting new friends, sweating and eating, I found myself upon the final hour. As I walked to the stage for the closing ceremonies I felt a tug on my pant leg. I looked down and saw Calvin, a little boy in a wheelchair with cerebral palsy. He looked up at me and motioned for me to bend down. He then wrapped his arms around me and give me a big hug. He let go, and in a voice that was difficult to understand but as loud as any 9-year-old's, screamed "Thank you!" \nAt that moment, the 35 hours that I had spent in the HPER became the greatest thing I had ever done. The final hour came and went with an emotional closing ceremony and a huge fund-raising total revealed. As I walked out of that building into the brisk October morning air, I didn't care about sleep. All I could think about was that I had just done the greatest thing in my life for another person. I admit, it was one of the most trying experiences of my life, that I gladly repeat each year. I hope that those of you reading this now may see how important you can be to a child at Riley Hospital.\nSo what is IU Dance Marathon? It is "The Chance of a Lifetime to give a Lifetime of Chance." It is hundreds of students taking time out of their schedules and sacrificing to help children who need helping. It is a little child looking up at you and wanting to give you a hug and thank you for showing that you care. It is everyone that has ever participated or helped out. It is me, and more than 700 other students at IU each year, and I pray that it will grab your heart like it did mine and become a part of you.\nDo it for the kids!