Fast Facts about DM’s 25th Year

As we are in our 25th year, it is clear that Dance Marathon at UF is not just an organization. Dance Marathon at UF changes the lives of everyone involved – not just the children’s lives, or the students involved, but also the families of these children and the donors who are supporting this life-changing cause. Twenty-five years of selfless love, giving, support and encouragement, but we are just getting started. Each year is a new year to improve – to do better than the last, to raise more money, to dedicate more time and even more love.

Check out these 25 fast facts about DM at UF to celebrate our 25th year!

  • Over $18.2 million has been raised by Dance Marathon at UF since 1995, all #FTK.
  • More than 1 million children have been impacted by DM at UF since our start in 1995.
  • Up until 2008, Dancers stayed on their feet for 32 hours! Today, our Dancers stand for 26.2 hours, the length of an actual marathon.
  • In 1995, the first Dance Marathon at the University of Florida was held in the Rion Ballroom at the J. Wayne Reitz Union. In 1996, the event was moved to the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, where it is held today.
  • Dance Marathon at UF is one of the five founding Dance Marathon programs in the nation.
  • We are lucky enough to have over 77 Miracle Families that inspire us daily.
  • DM at UF is still the most successful student-run philanthropy in the southeastern United States.
  • At our first Dance Marathon in 1995, we raised $12,424.66!
  • Over these 25 years, we have had 678 total hours danced and 388,696.2 hours by all of the Dancers combined!
  • DM at UF 2019 involves 20 Overall Directors, 484 Captains, and 196 Emerging Leaders!
  • Approximately 41,128 slices of pizza have been served to Dancers since 1995.
  • Since 1995, we have spent approximately 175 minutes performing the Linedance.
  • The most years that someone has participated as a Dancer is 12 years – Matt Michel was a 12 year Dancer!
  • Dance Marathon at UF has received over 49,000 donations on Donor Drive.
  • Dance Marathon 2019 is on March 30-31st. We cannot wait!#WhenWeBelieve anything is possible.

There are so many amazing things in store for our 25th year! We hope you join us in celebrating all of the miracles we have made in the past and join us in anticipating those to come. #WhenWeBelieve we can end childhood illnesses, we will.