For students who are interested in shaking their booty for a good cause, “Kickin’ It for the Kids,” a student-run dance marathon, is aiming to show Iowa State students a good time and give children with cancer a chance.

According to the Dance Marathon’s mission statement, the marathon was established this year to “enhance the lives of children facing cancer and their families. Our primary goal is to provide support for the families sponsored by Dance Marathon. We also hope to create an ISU wide philanthropy that will continue to grow and raise more money each year.”

All proceeds from the marathon will benefit children who reside in central Iowa via the Children’s Miracle Network.

“Kickin’ It” will be held on Sunday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the State Gymnasium.

The marathon will feature 10 hours of dancing and performances by local bands The Nadas and Monte Carlo, as well as Danny and the Dreamers.

Nearly 300 people have registered for the dance.

Andy Peterson, administrative vice president of Dance Marathon’s central committee and senior in political science, said he hopes getting a popular band such as The Nadas to play at the marathon will bring more people to the occasion.

Peterson added that he hopes the event will be university-wide, not just limited to the Greek System.

“We want to get everybody involved,” he said, adding that events like Residence Week and Greek Week can “cause a divide. We wanted to do something that could get everybody involved.”

Jamie Hagemeier, member of Dance Marathon’s central committee and sophomore in history and political science, said there will also be lip sync, several disc jockeys, speakers and various other activities to entertain dancers while they’re on their feet.

Peterson said some of the speakers who will be giving the dancers “pep talks” will include ISU Football Coach Dan McCarney and several officials from the Children’s Miracle Network.

Peterson also added that during the evening, there will be “Morale Captains,” who will help keep the dancers’ spirits high by giving encouraging talks and even massages.

Peterson specified that the misconception about the contest is that the dancers don’t really “dance” for the full ten hours.

“It’s 10 hours of being on your feet,” he said.

Peterson added that throughout the entire evening, “visitors” can come and pay a couple dollars donation to watch the event and hang out with their friends.

Peterson said the central committee is hoping this idea will help interest and attract people to the marathon, so that next year’s turnout can be even larger.

Hagemeier said there will also be food and drinks available during the marathon.

Not only will the Dance Marathon benefit a good cause, Hagemeier added, it will also be a great time for everyone.

“It’ll be a lot of fun,” she said, adding that some of the families the marathon will aid will be present during the dancing. “You realize how much you get back.”

Peterson agreed that hearing the families’ and victims of cancer speak will be one of the most emotional experiences of the evening.

“Students can really appreciate why they’re doing it,” he said.

Applications for dancer registration are available in the West Student Office Space of the Memorial Union.

Although the registration forms are officially due by Tuesday at 5 p.m., the committee will take late applications.

The registration form costs $25. The “dancer” will also receive a t-shirt from the cost of registration.

After picking up a registration form, the prospective dancer is asked to help raise around $50 dollars to donate to the cause.