Chi Omega raises over $86,000 for the Kids!

we are so proud to have raised over half a million dollars for the University of Iowa’s Dance Marathon the past 8 years. Read more below about why our Sisters dance for the kids!

Courtney Sadler, Dance Marathon 26 Hospital Liaison Director

It is difficult for me to put into words, my experience as Hospital Liaison Director for Dance Marathon 26, as it seems impossible to descibe how this year as truly changed me. Throughout my four years in DM, I have grown to love these families unconditionally and watched these kids experience the unimaginable. While standing by their side throughout their journeys, I have seen kids lose their hair, children celebrate being five years cancer free, teenagers miss events like prom and homecoming, and parents cry because they lost their child and are afraid that their memory will fade away. With every conversation, every piece of artwork created, and every boardgame I played, these kids continued to show me a strength that is unmatched. Dance Marathon is so much more than financial support - it is friend to talk to, a stranger who becomes family, and an army to lean on after hearing the words "your child has cancer." If youv'e ever seen a child fight cancer, it will change your life forever...just like it did mine. - Courtney Sadler, Hospital Liaison Director DM 26

It is hard for me to explain how much Dance Marathon 26 has impacted me. Getting to serve on the Hospital Committee of Family Relations allowed to see just how much cancer can effect ones life. I saw the ugly truths of cancer, but I was also able to see the success stories. Spending three hours a week in the Pediatric Cancer Center of Stead Family Childrens Hospital was an experience I will never forget. I was able to spread so much love and light to kiddos on their darkest days. Being able to bring smiles to kiddos and families faces brought me so much joy. I was able to have a first hand impact on the people we raise money for. One of my favorite memories from this year is from a volunteer shift in the hospital. I had played with this patient two days prior and they were completely nonverbal but always had a smile on their face. When their mom said she wanted us to play headbands I got a bit concerned because I was not sure how the patient was going to describe a word if they were nonverbal. When we started to play the game the patient was able to describe their object. They weren’t using perfect English but I was so impressed that they were able to form words at all. Their progress in such a short amount of time was incredible. About a week later the patient no longer had to use a wheelchair and could speak in full sentences. Moments like these are why I continue to put so much love and time into Dance Marathon. - Katie Freund, Family Relations

DM 26 was a year I will never forget. This year I held a lime captain position, ran the Dance Marathon the Marathon, attended family events, and had the chance to play with patients on the 11th floor of Stead. Being on leadership this year helped me grow a deeper connection to the Dance Marathon families as well as gain a better insight as to how terrible pediatric cancer is. I absolutely loved leading 55 amazing dancers in my group this year and I can't wait to see what DM 27 has in store for me!! - Ciara Feldman, Lime Captain

Cancer has been a bigger part of my life than it should be. After losing my aunt and my friend's mom to ovarian cancer, I knew I had to get involved in something that would fight for families in that very same situtation. Dance Marathon has brought me so much joy since day one. Being able to serve this organization as a Morale Captain made my second Dance Marathon more impactful than anything I have ever done. In this role, I led a team of 52 dancers through fundrasing and overall engagement in the organization, I raised $1,425 which then contributed to the $2.8 million dollar final tote board, and I was able to this all with inspiring people fighting by my side. Not only was I a Morale Captain, I also represented a family whose kiddo, Bethanie, just celebrated her 6th year of being cancer free! I fight for more stories like Bethanies and less that end like my aunt's. I fight for all the kiddos that are fighting for their lives. Dance Marathon 26 will be an experience I will never forget. From doing the Morale Dance on stage every hour, to dancing and singing like crazy during Power Hour, I will cherish every last second of those 24 hours for the rest of my life. Thank you UIDM26. #WeFoughtTogether #WeFoughtUntilTheEnd - Katie Stadler, Morale Captain

I cannot believe that my time as Morale Captain (MC) for DM26 has come to an end. In my past two years in Dance Marathon, I have stayed up for 48 hours, cried endlessly, ran a marathon, laughed uncontrollably, written countless letters to families impacted by this horrible disease, danced with the strongest kids, and have been inspired into action. As an MC, I had the opportunity to empower a group of 50 dancers to raise money for this incredible organization that I hold so near and dear to my heart. This year was extra meaningful due to three family/friends being diagnosed with cancer all in the same year, one even passing away. At the Big Event, there were times when my legs ached, times when I wanted fresh air, and times where I just wish I could go home to my bed. At those moments, I would look back at the candle in the main ballroom which symbolized our kiddos who are dancing in our hearts, the ones that could not be there. I would think about my friend who passed away, and how I knew she was in that room right there with me, dancing her heart out. I am so proud to be a part of this organization, but even prouder that my sisters are right beside me, creating tomorrow by dancing today. - Marisa Casas, Morale Captain

Dance Marathon has impacted my college years in more ways than I can express. There is nothing more sweet and special than seeing a group of young college kids join together in forces to fight for a cause that is so much bigger than themselves. These past 4 years, I have seen the way that cancer impacts a family, and the incredible change that this organization is able to create to help these families during the most difficult of times. My favorite memories with Dance Marathon have been running the Chicago Marathon with 300 other Univeristy of Iowa Students. There was nothing quite like spreading my lime through the streets of Chicago, raising awareness for the best kiddos around! I am so thankful for UIDM for helping shape my college years and am forever thankful to Chi O for supporting me along the way!  - Hayley Stuenkel, Family Representative

It's absolutely crazy to think that this was my last year in Dance Marathon and to get to reflect on how much has changed in the past 4 years. Getting the chance to serve as the Finance Chair and spending my last year with the most incredible group of hard-working people I've ever met was such an honor! DM has forever impacted my life and is something that I will truly never forget. There's nothing quite like standing amongst a group of thousands of college kids coming together to help better the lives of people that they've never met. Holding up the final toteboard showing everyone the $2.8 million miracles that we made this year was an experience I'll cherish forever! - Macy Meredith, Event Leadership

Dance Marathon has meant the world to me since I first attended DM12 in 2006 with my best friend Sierra who was diagnosed with cancer when we were 5 years old. DM26 was the 14th one that I attended, but it was the first year I spent on the Family Relations Committee. Throughout the year contacted and spent time specifically with families whose battle with cancer had ended, Dancing in Our Hearts Family. Before the big event I helped create the Family Room, the place most of our families spend time during the big event. During, I was able to play with kiddos, siblings, and family members in that Family Room. I also helped facilitate Dance Marathon Families speaking to dancers and being able to share their story. Every moment of Dance Marathon 26 was special, But what sticks out to me was when I was able to walk Sierra across the stage during family walkouts. 14 years I spent dancing with Sierra on that stage celebrating her life and her journey, and this year as a Family Relations committee member - I walked her across that very stage. - Brylee Yirkovsky, Family Relations

Dance Marathon 26 was my first Big Event and was the most unforgettable and life changing experience of my life. I got the opportunity to see the direct impact DM has on the children and families at Stead Family Children’s Hospital. My favorite moment of the Big Event was the Kiddo Talent Show! The kids were able to show us their passions, talents, and abilities and we were able to see them doing what they love most. These kids hold a place in my heart and will continue to forever. They push me to a better person, inspire me to never give up, and help me see the bigger picture in life. I am so grateful for this experience and look forward to doing it again, again, and again!! - Libbie Pavon

Dance Marathon left a lasting impact on my heart. I have been extremely humbled and made grateful through this experience. Hearing the families and kids speak about their stories was easily my favorite part of the whole event, their stories not only left a lasting impact on my heart but they also made it that much more meaningful for me to keep fighting for the kids. I am so grateful to have been apart of this amazing organization and I can’t wait to continue to fight for the kids in the future. - Claire Milnamow

This was my first dance marathon and it was definitely something I will never forget. The entire event was absolutely incredible, to meet all of the families and to hear their courageous and encouring stories, to dance and sing my heart out, to fundraise over 2 million dollars, and so many other things made it have such an impact on me. It was so cool to see the thousands of students participate and for all of us to come as one, huge family, in order to fight with the families and kiddos. I felt so proud to not only be a student at University of Iowa, but also a Chi Omega, because of the incredible amount of hardwork and passion that went into this organization throughout the entire year. I am so excited to continue fighting for the kids! - Anna Zucker

I will always have such a grateful heart for what Dance Marathon 26 has given me and I cannot believe my time as a Morale Captain for miracle group 13 is already over. This year, I was able to lead over 60 dancers the entire year helping them fundraise, engage and fall in love with Dance Marathon just like I did last year. I was also able to run the Chicago Marathon FTK this year which was an absolute blast. After hearing a family friends 12 year old son had been diagnosed with cancer this past year, I knew it was my time to do more. For me, being a part of dance marathon is not only just raising the crazy amount of money we do this each year, it is support we provide to each and every family. The drive and energy we give to them to keep pushing and the hope that one day Dance Marathon will dance for celebration of a cure of this horrible thing called cancer. Until then, we will keep fighting, keep dancing and keep hoping that there will be a day where there is no cancer. I am unbelievably grateful for this small role I was able to play in this huge organization, and cannot wait to see what the next year has in store! Bring on DM 27! As always, FTK. - Rachel Tandy

My first Dance Marathon experience was everything I could have hoped for and more. It was a very challenging 24 hours, but everything I gained from it is the reason I will do it again next year. My favorite parts were kiddo graduation, power hour, and visiting the Dancing in our Hearts room. I couldn't have done it without the encouragement of my older Chi Omega sisters who pushed me to stick out the 24 hours and do it all #FTK! - Maddie Taborek

The community of Dance Marathon never ceases to amaze me and it has been an absolute honor to serve on its leadership team. Yesterday, 3000+ students came together to stand beside children & families that have been impacted by cancer, and I had the privilege of helping coordinate this event. From emceeing our main stage entertainment to helping organize the Kiddo Talent Show, I loved every moment of carrying out this incredible 24 hour celebration of life! - Olivia Denkinger, Event Leadership

I can't even put into words how crazy it feels to be apart of such an amazing organization. I initially wanted to become apart of Dance Marathon after watching what my cousin had to go through at such a young age. Experiencing him being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at only four years old was one of the hardest things my family has ever had to go through, but I am so thankful it has only brought us closer. For me, being apart of Dance Marathon is being a support system and a giant family to those kiddos and families in the hospital who don't have the entire support they need. Hearing from the families impacted by pediatric cancer has to be one of my favorite parts of the big event, as it gives me more and more reasons to keep fighting along side them. As a second year dancer, I was able to be a lime rep to help assist communication between dancers and leadership and a family rep to help keep DM families in touch with all of the family activities and fundraising events we hold throughout the year. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to have two different positions in DM26 and I cannot wait for the fight to continue next year. So much love FTK!!!! - Kayla Kinney, Family Representative

Being a part of Dance Marathon means more than I can even begin to put into words. When I first joined the organization, it was to make friends. So many of my friends in Chi Omega were doing it and I thought "Why not?". As I learned more about the organization, the more I began to see the connections that I had with families who have been affected by this horrible disease. I have definitely heard of pediatric cancer taking place right in my hometown and these examples gave me so much to fight for. Just this past summer, a 17-year-old from high school passed away after a 9 year long battle with cancer. This absolutely broke my heart and this sadness turned into the motivation I would use throughout the entire year to fight for the children and families on the 11th floor of Stead Family Children's Hospital. Throughout this year, I have had the opportunity to build connections with families and see the true impact that we make when we fight together. After 24 hours of dancing for the kids, I left DM26 feeling so unbelievably grateful. Getting to hear how we make a difference directly from the families at the Big Event gave me strength, hope, and so much more. I cannot wait to involve myself even further into the organization I love so much next year. For The Kids!!! - Hannah Albertson, Lime Captain

Dance Marathon was challenging physically and mentally, but having my sisters and all the other dancers by my side, and of course the kiddos and their families sharing their powerful stories got me through the grueling yet amazing 24 hours. Seeing the kiddos graduate, sing and dance on stage, and the power that the ones dancing in our hearts still hold on us today, gives the why for why we stand, dance, and fundraise. Truly an experience I won't forget! - Makenna Mumm

Dance Marathon left a huge impact on my life. I understood how unbelievably hard having childhood cancer is for the families, but after hearing them speak at the big event it truly put things into perspective. Many families mentioned that there kids sometimes even wanted to go to the hospital because of all the fun they have with dance marathon students. It felt really good to know that what we were doing truly did make a diffence on their lives. This will always be one of my favorite and one of the most important things I remember when looking back at Dance Marathon 26! - Maddy Floss

My first Dance Marathon experience was everything I could have hoped for and more. It was a very challenging 24 hours, but everything I gained from it is the reason I will do it again next year. My favorite parts were kiddo graduation, power hour, and visiting the Dancing in our Hearts room. I couldn't have done it without the encouragement of my older Chi Omega sisters who pushed me to stick out the 24 hours and do it all #FTK! - Maddie Taborek

I was extremely nervous going into the Big Event being a first time dancer, but as soon as they announced the families and the kids walked onto the stage, I teared up and remembered what it is all about! Yes, the 24 hours of standing and dancing was very challenging, but I know the children we have raised money for go through so much more every single day. I am so thankful I could experience this with all my Chi O sisters right beside me, cheering me on! - Kendall Watson