Dancing for the kids
“It’s amazing to me that as busy college students are, that they are willing to take the time to come out on a Saturday to help kids they may or may not have connections with, ” said Julie Lesch, a Riley mom, in response to the 50 University of Indianapolis students that were dancing and playing with the Riley Children on March 27, 2010.
In addition to the dancing, four-square and Dance Dance Revolution that went on for 12 hours, every hour held a theme that brought about party favors and a new activity for UIndy students and Riley kids to participate in. Also, every hour a guest speaker spoke to the marathoners about their time spent in Riley Hospital for Children.
Sophomore Lindsey Campbell teaches UIndy students a dance that they worked on throughout the night. A different part of the dance was taught every hour.
At noon the participants were all gathered, checked in and the marathon was off:
Hour 1:
During hour one, the marathoners were introduced to the Morale Committee who had a dance they would be teaching piece by piece throughout the night. Each hour, the dancers would learn another part of the dance. The final piece, a six minute and 45 second song, brought to life everything from country with Miley Cyrus, to hip-hop jams from the 90s to give UIndy students a unique dance.
Hour 3:
UIndy enjoyed a beach party theme while competing in a hula-hoop contest with their flower necklaces that UIndy committee members passed around as this hour’s party favor.
The guest speaker, was Maidena Fulford, who spoke on the behalf of her five year-old daughter Hannah. Hannah had four holes in her heart and had open-heart surgery at the tender age of 12 weeks.
“We come to marathons because it’s a way we can give back. The money that is donated allows Riley [Hospital for Children] to help their physicians get the experience and the research they need to help children.”
Hour 5:
Hot glue guns, scissors and beads were being passed around from table to table during the “service hour” of the dance marathon. The dancers created greeting cards, chemo caps and craft bags filled with activities for children at Riley Hospital, with help from UIndy Circle K members.
Hour 7:
Ryder Dodson, a two-year-old Riley kid, instantly stole everyone’s attention with his laugh as his mother shared his story on stage.
Ryder was born with pulmonary hypertension. He was air-lifted to Riley Hospital by helicopter. He died twice on the way and was brought back to life by the doctors on board.
After he arrived at Riley Hospital, Ryder was put on a bypass machine that took all of his blood out of his body, cooled it, then put it back in his body.
“I can’t say enough about Riley. They stand for hope, and they were truly a hope for us, so you guys keep working,” said Laura Dodson.
Hour 9:
Thirteen Dance marathon participants took part in UIndy’s version of ‘Fear Factor.’ Within two rounds, 13 dancers ate five different kinds of baby food all mashed together as well as potted meat. The four fastest potted meat eaters advanced to the third and final stage where they had to eat live Canadian night crawlers that were covered in dirt.
Hour 11:
It was power hour! With only 60 minutes to go the black lights were on, the speakers were turned up, hands were in the air and students were screaming the lyrics to their favorite song.
After 12 hours of dancing, UIndy’s 2010 Riley Dance Marathon participants made over 50 cards, 25 chemo caps, 100 craft kits and raised $3,756.15 for the children at Riley Hospital for Children.
“I’m sad because 12 hours went by so quickly,” said Kayla Mughmaw Co-President of UIndy for Riley. “However, we had a lot more people come than we expected and raised more money than last year’s marathon, so overall I am very happy with the outcome.”
