Dance Marathon does it again!

F T K

 FOR THE KIDS!!!!

Dance Marathon was this past weekend here in Iowa City. And for those of you who don't know what DM is or have never experienced it for yourself, you are truly truly missing out on something amazing. You're missing out on seeing miracles happen right in front of your eyes. 

What a beautiful sight that is!!!!

 Yes, you ARE reading that correctly. That tote board total says $1,368,147.18....as in 1.3 MILLION DOLLARS RAISED TO HELP THESE KIDS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE BATTLING CANCER!!!! Words can't even express how proud I am to have returned this year for my first time as Alumni and see all of the hard work that my friends and students put into DM this year. It is just awe-inspiring and makes my heart so happy. This organization is just so incredible. It is ran entirely by students who dominate and I can call them all my family. This organization also isn't just about the 24 hours that we spend on our feet, awake, dancing, having no caffeine and acting crazy. It's about what we do the other 365 days of the year. Cancer doesn't quit and either do we. I never would have imagined that signing up to be a spirit dancer and to volunteer at DM13 six years ago that my life would change as much as it has thanks to DM. Dance Marathon holds a near and dear place in my heart and will always be so special to me. Through DM, that is where I met my future husband J Man and all of my closest friends and some past roommates. I have also been led down a new career path that is so amazing and everyday I spend at the hospital, it is so rewarding. 

But most importantly, I can now say that I know the bravest and strongest kiddos and families out there. Some of these kids haven't even seen their 2nd birthday yet and they've already gone through round after round of chemo and radiation. Some of these kids won't ever get the chance to even see their 10th birthday. Some of these kids have had long grueling battles against their cancer and continue to come up on top and fighting. While others, the battle got to be too hard and they earned their angel wings. Each of these kids are inspiring, amazing, incredible, hilarious, sweet, wise beyond their years and yearning to be just like any normal kid. After all of the families I have gotten to know, I honestly can't ever imagine being in their shoes. Can you imagine being told that your child has cancer? Could you imagine having to explain to your child why they can't go back to school to see their friends or home to see their puppy? How about trying to explain what cancer is to them and why they have to lose half of their leg?? Or after the fight was over, could you imagine having to plan your 6 year old's funeral? The families I know have had to answer those questions for their own child. It sucks and it is absolutely awful. And it isn't fair. 

But at least because of DM, we can make it easier. They always thank us students after the Big Event for everything we've done throughout the year and raising the money for the hospital for new equipment, parking passes, food vouchers, sibling support kits, pharmacy co-pays, and the list goes on and on. And from the very bottom of my heart along with everyone else I know who is in DM, they're all welcome. Really, raising money and playing with them in the hospital is the least we could do to help them out! But what they don't know is that we need to thank them as well. Because of these kiddos, my life has been changed for the better. They inspire me every day and have given me a sense of faith and courage when things don't always seem to go my way. They make me want to be a better person each day and have taught me how to be a kid again. Life is too short to have regrets and take things for granted and that's a lesson these families as a whole have also taught me. Be a kid again and be messy. Dance to songs and make up the words as you go along. Inspire others and be a better person every day. Spend quality time with family and friends. And always tell those who you love how much they mean to you. Have you told someone lately that you love them? Do it now. Be the difference. Make miracles.