One room down from the Durham Great Hall, where countess participants danced into their fourth hour of Dance Marathon, Dee Hehr’s soft voice, barely audible over the backdrop of the thumping base and celebratory cheers, characterized the sobering aspect of the benefit.

Three years ago, Matthew, Hehr’s oldest son, was diagnosed with congenital heart defect at 7 months old, Hehr said. The family, then living in Mason City, was with Matthew while he was treated at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital.

Dee said Dance Marathon made a visible impact – various parts of the hospital sported the Dance Marathon” logo.

“You just don’t realize how much medical [equipment] is needed for pediatric patients,” she said. “It helps a lot. His crib had a plaque with Dance Marathon on it.”

In their first year participating, the Hehr family enjoyed the event.

“Today is just nuts,” Dee said. “The [students participating] have fun playing with the boys – stacking blocks or playing football.”

Now three years old, Matthew is healthy and goes back to the hospital for annual checkups. He’s done “super well” so far, Dee said.

Matthew, who occupied himself happily throughout the morning, was less interested in talking and drawn more to playing in the bounce house he shared with several other children.

Although Matthew’s health is all the family could ask for, Dee said she felt bad about participating in Dance Marathon for that reason. “In some other [similar organizations] he’s the only one OK. It’s something that’s painful for other people to see,” she said.

“It’s nice to see that Dance Marathon is not just for the sick kids, it’s for the ones who are better now, too.”