While most students were out celebrating an early St. Patrick’s Day the weekend of March 15^th and 16^th, hundreds of students at the University of Michigan devoted their time to Dance Marathon. Dance Marathon is a non-profit student organization which sponsors events throughout the year to raise monetary support and awareness for the needs of pediatric rehabilitation programs. Both creative and interactive therapies, such as horseback riding and rock climbing, are often provided through the allocation of funds to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor and Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. The year round efforts of the organization culminate in March when hundreds of students stand on their feet for a thirty hour marathon to show their dedication to the cause. During the marathon, dancers are challenged both mentally and physically, gaining a perspective of the challenges and obstacles facing the children the organization supports. This year, the marathon raised $70,000 more than last year, totaling in at $428,109.79.

Many student organizations on campus also showed their support this weekend by providing activities and motivation in four hour shifts to keep both the dancers and children entertained. Weeks before the marathon many ASDA pre-dental students spent their time preparing for the event. At the marathon, many members including Catherine Cichon (also a member of dance marathon), Jennifer Cho, Jennifer Cleary, Gary Forgach, Brent Medema, Manika Agarwal, Joelle Prose, Rachel Lesser, Alexandra Peri, Jessica Ray, and Brittany Hazard were present to show their support late on Saturday night from 9PM to 1AM. The ASDA pre-dentals provided activities such as connect the dots with a mirror and how to number teeth. Hundreds of bottles of Listerine and a “Grab-n-Go” table also provided the dancers with the opportunity to pick up some refreshing mouth wash, candy, free beads, crossword puzzles, sudoku, and word searches. Yet, the most significant part of the night was when a free electric toothbrush by Triumph was given out none other than Miles Peguese, one of Dance Marathon’s very own members, for most accurately guessing the amount of milliliters of Listerine in a pretzel jar. The Peguese family is one of many families with children involved in the pediatric rehabilitation programs sponsored by funds raised by Dance Marathon. Miles was not only accurate in guessing, but he guessed the exact amount of 1760 mL.

After just a glimpse of what Dance Marathon is like, many ASDA pre-dental members hope to become involved again next year and are inspired by the enthusiasm and strength of many of the families the marathon supports.