This weekend marks Iowa State’s 18^th annual Dance Marathon. Dance Marathon committee members set a fundraising goal of $1 million, more than doubling last year’s amount raised.  With such a significant goal, Dance Marathon Directors, Jessica Pearce and Austin Javellana, are hoping for one thousand to 1200 dancers for the big event. 

Being in a room filled with nearly one thousand dancers for 12 hours can be a recipe for discomfort.  Pearce, senior in kinesiology, offered insight to prepare the dancers of what to expect and how to stay comfortable. 

“Really, all dancers need to bring are a coat and sweatpants to wear over shorts if you feel the need,”  Pearce said. “Pockets or a fanny pack are great to carry around other small essentials.”

Fanny packs are a dancer’s best friend. Kenzie Markland, junior in psychology and dancer team captain, said they’re great for small necessities like a cell phone, chap stick and wallet. 

“They house all of our necessary items from our detailed schedule to our phone to take pictures,” Markland said.

Other items that dancers often forget to consider are deodorant, phone charger, change of socks, shoes and clothes.   

It gets warm and stuffy as the day goes on and students participate in activities and dancing in the Great Hall.

“Wear anything comfortable and breathable,” Pearce said. “Wear tennis shoes, the Dance Marathon shirt you receive at early check-in and shorts. The most important thing to remember is to come with a great attitude and leave your cool cap at home.”

It’s not too late for dancers to sign up. They can either go to www.dm.stuorg.iastate.edu and click “Register” or “Donate” at the top of the page, or they can go to early check-in to sign up. 

Early check-in times are Jan. 20 and Jan. 21.  Both days there will be locations open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Gold Room of the Memorial Union and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the MWL and UDCC commons. 

Children’s Miracle Network provides 170 network hospitals with treatment, technology and research. Some of the items that Dance Marathon has funded include a patient library, parking and meal vouchers for parents, grief services, Bravery Beads and much more.

“Probably my favorite item is called a Zaky positioning tool,” Pearce said. “It is typically used for premature babies, has a simulated pulse and is temperature regulated to simulate a mother’s touch for babies that are being held in incubators for very intensive care.”

Additionally, Iowa State Dance Marathon is funding the building of a brand new University of Iowa Children’s Hospital that will grow and continue to provide outstanding care to the kids of Iowa and beyond.

“There is no organization on Iowa State’s campus like Dance Marathon,” Pearce said. “It’s an experience like no other and you’ll probably be on a Dance Marathon high for weeks. There’s no feeling quite like giving back to people that will never be able to repay you and being able to personally meet and share your life with so many of those people.”