Dear Dance Marathon Family,

We first want to say thank you for joining our organization, allowing us to be a part of your journey, and inspiring us to do more. You are one of over 1,350 families that continue to grow our “why’s” each and every day.

During DM30, our goal was to Build Lasting Legacies. We strived to go above and beyond to make our anniversary year one to remember. This year, DM31, we will continue to build off that momentum in order to grow our organization’s participation, fundraising, and passion. We will do all of this while keeping you, our families, at the forefront of our mission. 

During your time on the 11th floor of Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Dance Marathon provides several fun and engaging opportunities for your kiddos and families. Students on our Family Relations team and Executive Council provide in-person volunteering at Stead. Throughout the week, volunteers spend quality time with your kiddos building connections through activities such as making crafts and playing games. Additionally, we are continuing our virtual and in-person programming, which consists of weekly Monday morning storytimes and Wednesday evening playtimes to ensure all kiddos have an opportunity to join in on the fun. Once a month, we will be hosting special Dance Marathon parties where your kiddos can expect a variety of unique and interactive activities. 

Outside of the hospital, we will provide in-person family events along with supplemental virtual experiences throughout the year. We hope to bring all of our Dance Marathon families and Dance Marathon members together to show our support and foster forever friendships. If you would like to be more involved within Dance Marathon, joining the Family Representative Program allows your family to be paired with a Dance Marathon member to keep you informed about events while creating more personal relationships within our organization.

In the 31st year of Dance Marathon, we are committed to providing an environment for you to feel valued, inspired, and connected. We will ensure that your family’s needs, both financially and emotionally, are supported throughout all stages of your family’s journey. 

There will be plenty of information to come! Please refer to the biweekly Family Liaison emails for any updates. For any questions concerning Hospital Programming, please contact DM-HospitalLiaison@uiowa.edu. For any questions regarding Family Relations, please contact DM-FamilyLiaison@uiowa.edu. 

Creating Tomorrow By Dancing Today,

Avery Galles and Brandon Alpers

Family Liaison Director & Hospital Liaison Director, Dance Marathon 31