Hi! My name is Aubrey Haney, and I’m so excited for my fourth and final year in Dance Marathon! I’m from Muscatine, Iowa, and I’m currently a senior studying Speech and Hearing Sciences at the University of Iowa. This year, I am honored to serve on the Executive Board as the Executive Director for Dance Marathon 33. UIDM has been the most transformative part of my college experience. It is where I have found purpose, passion, and people who truly care. Being from just 40 minutes away and attending the Big Event with my best friend Taya when I was younger, I knew UIDM was something special before I even came to Iowa, but I realized right away that it was so much more than that. This organization has shaped who I am and shown me the power of community. DM has given me some of my best friends, challenged me to grow as a leader, and reminded me what can happen when people show up for something so much greater than themselves. I continue to come back because of the incredible kiddos and families we support, the people who make this organization feel like home, and the belief that together, we can make a real difference. No matter why you join, Dance Marathon has a way of giving you countless reasons to stay.

Dear Dancers,

Thank you for taking a chance on something special and choosing to be part of a movement so much bigger than yourself. Dance Marathon is not just a 24-hour event. It is a community, a promise, and a family built on love, hope, and the belief that we can help create a better tomorrow for the kiddos and families who need us most.

The love this organization has is unlike anything else. It is seen in the way people show up for one another, in the late nights spent fundraising, in the hugs, the tears, the laughter, and the moments that remind us why every dollar, every hour, and every effort matters. You will meet some of the most passionate, kind-hearted people who will inspire you every day.

Each of you brings something unique and important to this organization, and I cannot wait to see what every single one of you brings to the table. Your ideas, your energy, your heart, and your commitment will help shape this year in ways we cannot even imagine yet.

Take the chance. Show up. Love big. Make a difference.

We are so lucky to have you, and we cannot wait to dance beside you.
All my love,
Aubrey Haney