Annual 4K For the Kids to raise money for U of I Stead Family Children’s Hospital

Girls gather on center stage to dance for the crowd and celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dance Marathon. The marathon went on from Jan. 20-21. The money raised during Dance Marathon is given to the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital through the Children’s Miracle Network

Willa Colville
September 27, 2018

Dance Marathon will host their annual 4K For the Kids Sunday. The event will take place on Central Campus from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m.

Iowa State Dance Marathon has been helping children with life-threatening illnesses for 22 years now.

Their website states they are the “largest student-run philanthropy” on campus, raising money year round to benefit families served by the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

The main Dance Marathon event doesn’t take place until January. However, “dancers” have already started raising money.

Sunday’s event ranges in price. For attendees ages 13 years and older it costs $15. Children between the ages 5 and 12 years old must pay $10 to participate. All children under 4 years old are free. The pancake breakfast is included in the cost but may be purchased separately at $5 per person.

Fundraising efforts by Iowa State Dance Marathon provide library materials, music therapy equipment, infant CPR training kits and more for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. The money raised also funds the building of the new children’s hospital.

Registration for the annual 4K For the Kids is open now. Fill out the online form to complete registration.

Runners as well as walkers are encouraged to join the race, which begins at 11 a.m. Participants must arrive at the event between 10 and 10:45 a.m. for check-in.

Since Dance Marathon began at Iowa State, the student-run organization has raised approximately $2.7 million for the hospital. Members have different reasons as to why they participate.

The website boasts members’ answers to the question, “Why do we stand?” Some members stand for the “children who can’t” while others stand because they know their efforts could make a difference.

The “Miracle Kiddos,” who are supported by Iowa State Dance Marathon, will be in attendance during Sunday’s event. Attendees have the opportunity to meet the kids, eat pancakes, play games and walk across the campus during the 4k.

For more information, visit facebook.com/isudm.