Beginning at 6pm on Friday and ending at 6am on Saturday morning, Duluth students and local community members will stay on their feet, dancing to live music and DJs while interacting with patients and their families from Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare.  The Dance Marathon student organization is welcoming everyone at this event, emphasizing that participants need not be expert dancers.

The Ward Wells Field House on the UMD campus provides space for a wide variety of activities. This event will include two national hip-hop acts, three club DJs, six radio stations and a hypnotist. Participants can expect to play Ships Across the Ocean and learn Michael Jackson’s Thriller dance. Opening ceremonies are expected to feature the University of Minnesota Duluth marching band, color guard, and dance team.

The funds raised by Dance Marathon will provide vital medical services for local children with disabilities through Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. Gillette is the Minnesota affiliate hospital for the Children’s Miracle Network.  This year’s very achievable fund-raising goal is $5,000, but we will need help getting there.

“I see Gillette patient Michael at school and to know he’s alive and happy because of the care Gillette has given him keeps me pumped for Dance Marathon and reminds me why it’s worth it,” said UMD sophomore Dana Hanson. The 12 hours of Dance Marathon promise to be the largest student-run party of the year, all for the kids of Gillette.

To participate in the first Dance Marathon sponsored in the state of Minnesota, register online at dmduluth.org

Questions? contact schi0613 @ d.umn.edu