Dance Marathon raises record amount

Students celebrated about a half-a-million reasons for children to cheer this past weekend at IU's 14th annual Dance Marathon.\nWhen Hoosier teenager Ryan White died in the spring of 1990 from complications of the AIDS virus, a platoon of IU students embarked upon a campaign to offer campus members: "The Chance of a Lifetime, to Give a Lifetime of Chance." \nFirst held in the fall of 1991, the IU Dance Marathon initially raised $11,000 for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. \nContained within the metal grates marking the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building space reserved for philanthropic others, the caring efforts of about 650 dancers -- an IUDM record -- 215 committee members, 165 mass members and 19 executive council members raised an IUDM record $468,600.19 for The Ryan White Infectious Disease Center at Riley Hospital. \nAbiding by the business principle suggesting it takes money to make money, senior Ryan Bulan and acting IUDM executive council president said the IUDM trades $40,000 for the use of a stage, the use of a sound system, microphones, a public address system and hotel rooms at the IMU and other local hotels for the children and families of Riley Hospital patients. Bulan said the IUDM is entirely self-governing, self-functioning and independent from the University. \n"Over the past 14 years, we have raised over $3.3 million for children," Bulan said. "With our size, and the amount we have raised this year, this makes us the second largest dance marathon in the country."\nOver the course of the 36-hour Dance Marathon, IUDM committee members and other volunteers served 14 meals to the tune of 18 bands and the thankful testimony of Riley Hospital children and families. IUDM participants were treated to interactive opportunities, games and contests such as "Who's Line Is It Anyway?," a scavenger hunt with Riley kids and karaoke. \nActing as obstacles to the musical bass vibrations bouncing off the rubber floor from the stage, IUDM participants were observed dining on plastic table cloths, tossing Frisbees and tapping balloons through the stale HPER air. IUDM public relations director and senior Denise Feldman said the 2004 marathon was definitely the best IU has ever had.\n"We were flabbergasted as to how well it all went," Feldman said. "Dancers stayed into it and remained happy. I'm so tired right now. The Dance Marathon has shaped my college career. We put so much hard work and effort into it."\nActing as the student organization glue binding the celebration together, IUDM internal fund-raiser director and senior Kristin Selund said student volunteers organize an annual golf outing, date auction and other money raising affairs each year to ensure the future success of the IUDM. \n"This year, we raised $468,600.19," Selund said. "It was a great success; last year's total was $403,000. We implemented a lot of new things this year. Managing 637 dancers is a feat -- trying to feed people and keep them entertained the whole time." \nTestifying for the village support needed to nurture the health well-being of all Hoosier children, Feldman said the IUDM is an event many people come together for which creates an overwhelming sense of pride.\n"It's amazing to have Riley Hospital families look up to us as heroes," Feldman said. "You never know what is going to happen in the 36 hours -- the end result is something unexplainable. The pride you feel is nothing compared to what the Riley Hospital families have been through. There are still sick kids out there; we are trying to do our part."\n-- Contact staff writer David A. \nNosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.