Dear Dance Marathon Family,
We first want to say thank you. Thank you for joining our organization, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your life, and thank you for inspiring our movement. You are one of over 1,275 families that continue to touch our lives each and every day.
DM 29 was our grand return to an in-person Big Event. In celebration of our 30th anniversary, we will continue navigating this post-lockdown era by integrating what worked well during previous years in combination with our vision for the future. We will ensure that you experience financial and emotional support inside and outside of the hospital through inclusive and accessible programming.
During your time at Stead, Dance Marathon provides several fun and engaging opportunities for your kiddos and families. Students on our Family Relations team and Executive Council have returned to in-person volunteering on the 11th floor of Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Throughout the week, volunteers spend quality time with your kiddos doing activities such as making crafts, playing games, and chatting. Additionally, we are continuing our virtual programming, which consists of weekly Monday morning storytimes and Wednesday evening playtimes. Once a month, we host special DM parties where your kiddos can expect a variety of unique and interactive activities. These programs are broadcasted to the entire hospital on Zoom.
Outside of the hospital, we are planning to hold seven in-person family events along with supplemental virtual experiences throughout the year. We hope to bring all of our Dance Marathon families and DM members together to not only show our support, but foster an environment for unforgettable memories to be created. 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 30th year of DM, we are committed to providing an environment for you to feel safe, inspired, and connected. We will ensure that your family’s needs are supported before, during, and after treatment. No matter where you are in your journey, we will always be right by your side.
There will be plenty of information to come! Please refer to the biweekly Family Liaison email for any updates. For any questions regarding Family Relations, please never hesitate to contact DM-FamilyLiaison@uiowa.edu.
Creating Tomorrow By Dancing Today,
Julia Wendland and Maddi Smith
Family Liaison Director and Hospital Liaison Director, Dance Marathon 30