Tuesday, September 30, 2014

DANCE MARATHON DAY



Happy September 25th also known as: Dance Marathon Day! 

I know what most of you are thinking: You’re like 5 days late… Well yeah, I am just a little late on this post. I had computer issues and was without a laptop for a couple days, so you know how that goes. So the way I see it is: Better late than never!


For those of you who don’t know what dance marathon is; Dance marathon is an event where people go for a certain amount of time without sitting to raise money for a cause. I have personally involved with dance marathon since my junior year of high school in support of Riley Children’s Hospital.
Riley Children’s Hospital is a world-renown children’s hospital in Indianapolis. This hospital doesn’t turn any patient away even if they don’t necessarily have the means to pay for treatment.


That in itself is just awesome is it not? That’s where dance marathons come in and help. All the proceeds from each marathon goes directly to the hospital to aid in financing all of these costs.
I became involved in this amazing cause my junior year and after that marathon, I was hooked. The kids are my number one inspiration as to why I dance. Every time I get ready to go to a marathon, I just remember why I'm doing this. I'm going to these marathons because with all of the hours I have to spare, why would I not give it back to kids that sometimes don't live past an hour. If there's any way that I can help give them a way to live until 1 year old, 5, 10 or even 50 years old, I am going to do it. The passion I have for dance marathon has only intensified since coming to college with IUDM.

What is IUDM you ask? IUDM is the dance marathon that we host at Indiana University. It was began in 1991 in memory of Ryan White who died from AIDS the year before by a group of friends and raised $10,000. This organization has grown over the years and last year $2.6 million was raised! Another inspiration that the IUDM organization dances for is Ashley Louise Crouse. Ashley was a Kappa Kappa Gamma here at IU in Bloomington. The year that she was on the executive council for IUDM she was tragically killed in a car accident. She truly gave inspiration to the IUDM organization as a whole and still to this day gives so much motivation, passion and love. These two people are why, whenever at these marathons you're exhausted, you keep going. Just watch this video and you’ll understand why it’s so hard to not be involved with such an important cause:



My committee in this organization is Marathon Relations. What we do as a committee is go around to all of the high schools and help them put on their marathons. Since joining this committee I have found my niche and family. These people inspire me and motivate me each day. Whether this is in fundraising or in just being a better person, this group of people has truly changed my way of thinking and looking at things. They have taught me that after reaching one goal, there is always another goal to be reached. They truly have become my family and with only 45 days left until IUDM 2014, I can't imagine spending this time or the marathon with anybody but these people. 




So bottom line is you should go get involved or help someone you know reach their goal! (PSA this person could be me! (: ) Go check out my fundraising page and if you have any questions you can always ask that person or me! It’s a cause you will not regret helping or being apart of! You will regret however, NOT being apart of it!

XOXO & FTK 
Emily

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