About Dance Marathon

Each year 600 UF students stay awake and on their feet for 26.2 consecutive hours for Dance Marathon – an event that raises money to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network at Shands Children's Hospital at the University of Florida. Since its inception in 1995, the event has raised more than $2.8 million to directly benefit the children being treated by the University of Florida physicians at Shands. The money raised helps purchase life-saving technology for treatment, diversionary materials including computers and games and fund pediatric research. In addition to dancing the night away with an annual line dance, students participate in a variety of fun activities and enjoy a wide range of entertainment groups. The student participants experience physical and mental challenges during the event, serving as a reminder of the obstacles children treated at Shands face. The students love the dancing and games, but the highlight of the event is when the Miracle Families come to visit and share their stories. Their stories of success are what keep the dancers motivated and remind everyone that they are making a difference in a child’s life.