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The amount raised during the 2016-2017 WIU Dance Marathon is revealed at the end of the April 1 12-hour Dance Marathon. Miracle Families and a few WIU students had the honor of revealing the grand total, which beat the $100,000 goal set by the DM Exec Board.
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WIU Dance Marathon Exec Board and participants celebrate meeting ... and exceeding ... this year's goal. All proceeds go to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals of the Greater St. Louis region.
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WIU Dance Marathon Raises $123,200, Beats $100k Goal

April 3, 2017

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MACOMB, IL – The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others. [Albert Schweitzer]

Western Illinois University Dance Marathon's purpose is to help others, specifically the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals of Greater St. Louis. The student organization's goal for the fourth annual Dance Marathon, a yearlong fundraising campaign for CMNH St. Louis Children's Hospital and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center that culminated in a 12-hour event April 1 on the Macomb campus, was $100,000. At the stroke of midnight at the event's end, the grand total was revealed: $123,200, which marked a record for a school of WIU's size in the St. Louis Children's Miracle Network market to raise that amount in only four years.

The $123,200 raised during the 2016-2017 Dance Marathon pushed Western's four-year total to over one-quarter million ($269,000). The 2016 event raised $70,800; the 2015 event raised $53,000; and the 2014 event raised $22,000. The 12-hour dance marathon held at the end of the yearlong campaign honors the 12-hour shifts of doctors and nurses, as well as children who are unable to stand.

"We are beyond inspired, motivated and overwhelmed and so filled with gratitude for the wonderful students, and their families, friends and the many anonymous donors, who helped us reach, and exceed, our goal," said WIU Dance Marathon Adviser Ashley Katz. "It's simply indescribable to see the efforts of our Dance Marathon Executive Board come to fruition to reach this level of giving."

Throughout the event, Miracle Families – families whose children have been, and are being, treated – at CMNH spoke about their journeys and their trials, tribulations and triumphs.

"It's an emotional experience to hear firsthand what these families and these children go through," said DM President Hayley Salata. "Knowing that WIU is making a difference to help these families is just incredible. It was an honor and privilege to be a part of this organization and to work with these dedicated students of the Dance Marathon E-Board to make miracles happen."

Planning for the fifth annual WIU Dance Marathon begins immediately following the end of this year's event, according to Nick Katz, DM adviser. The 2018 event is scheduled for Feb. 24, 2018. Applications for the 2017-18 Dance Marathon Executive Board, which are due April 12, will be available on the Purple Post.

"We want to express once again our deepest appreciation to our students and our many donors," Nick added. "We are providing hope to families in need of a glimmer of light. We are making a difference in a sometimes indifferent world. That is our mission, our purpose and our goal."

Additional details can be found on the WIU Dance Marathon Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/1Qj4L4K.

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