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Dance Marathon April 1

March 30, 2017

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MACOMB, IL – It's all for the kids. (#FTK).

The fourth annual Western Illinois University Dance Marathon (DM) will begin at noon Saturday, April 1, and for 12 consecutive hours, hundreds of participants -- students, faculty, staff and community members -- will make the final push to raise $100,000 for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) of Greater St. Louis.

Since the event began at Western in 2014, nearly $146,000 has been raised for CMNH. The yearlong fundraising efforts culminate April 1, with the Dance Marathon from noon-midnight in the University Union Grand Ballroom. The final event honors the 12-hour shifts of doctors and nurses, as well as children who are unable to stand. The total raised for the 2016-17 effort will be revealed at the end of the night. Children's Miracle Network patients and their families will take part in the event and will be recognized throughout the day and evening.

"We are so proud of the Dance Marathon Executive Board for their extraordinary efforts throughout the year. They have been working so hard toward the April 1 event and meeting our goal of raising $100,000," said Nick Katz, who along with his wife, Ashley, serve as the Dance Marathon advisers. "These students have so much going on, but they have dedicated themselves to this effort and this cause because they believe in it. Seeing firsthand the families and children who have received medical assistance from CMNH and knowing that the money we raise at Western goes to help these families is something we just cannot describe."

Since April 2016, the WIU Dance Marathon has been working to raise money for the 2017 event to reach the target goal of $100,000. The 2016 event raised $70,800; the 2015 event raised $53,000; and the 2014 event raised $22,000.

"We encourage anyone who has not participated in, or witnessed, this event to come out to the Grand Ballroom anytime during the April 1 event," Ashley added. "It's simply overwhelming to see everyone come together for Dance Marathon and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. It truly illustrates what Western Illinois University is all about: caring and compassion for others."

To register for, or to donate to, this year's Dance Marathon, visit tinyurl.com/wiudm17. Questions about the event can be directed to AE-Katz@wiu.edu or NB-Katz@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing