On Saturday, St. Ambrose’s Dance Marathon Club hosted its sixth annual Dance Marathon Gala. Their theme for this year was “A Night In Bloom,” and their objective is a noble one: raising as much money as possible to assist the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Jack Day, Dance Marathon’s Vice President of External Communications, said “It’s just a great night to celebrate our kiddos, and the fights that they’re currently in or have fought and just honor our kiddos who are dancing in our hearts.”
While the event’s main purpose is to serve as a fundraiser through its ticket sales, silent auctions, concessions, and more, Dance Marathon President Addison Hendrick says “We don’t do it just for the money raised, we do it because we love what we do and we want to share the legacy of these kiddos and just give them something to look forward to or be a part of that’s just bigger than ourselves as students but also something fun for them as well.
Throughout the night, families affected by cancer took the stage to share their personal stories on how the issue has impacted them and the incredible financial and emotional support that they were able to receive through Stead Family Children’s Hospital and SAU Dance Marathon.
Some SAU students found the matter a touch more personal than others, with Gala volunteer Dawson Yegge saying “I mean, it’s an amazing event. It raises money for a great foundation for the Iowa Children’s Hospital. My mom’s cousin actually died of childhood cancer so this is something that kinda hits home to me a little bit. Being able to raise money and just try to get everyone an extra day, an extra laugh, an extra smile is something that I really hold close to me.”
With how isolating it can be for kids and their families to battle cancer, St. Ambrose Dance Marathon stands as a shining example of how no matter how helpless they may feel, they are never truly alone.
