Dance Marathon

Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon

Miracle Network Dance Marathon was founded in 1991 by students from Indiana University in the memory of Ryan White, a fellow student who passed away prior to the beginning of his freshman year. This program now spans the entire country with over 300 schools in North America.

Dance Marathon (DM) at Florida Gulf Coast University began in 2013 and is a year-long effort that culminates into an annual 13.1-hour event, where hundreds of students stay awake and, on their feet, raise money and awareness for our local beneficiaries. All proceeds benefit our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. In 2021, DM at FGCU raised over $30,000 for the local children treated in our community. These funds make the difference in providing the medical care, treatment and research needed at our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

Golisano Children’s Hospital

Established in 1994, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida has been named a “Top Hospital” by The Leapfrog Group for the past three years. It is the only recognized children’s hospital between Tampa and Miami. Lee Health opened the new 134-bed Golisano Children’s Hospital in May 2017, relocating the children’s hospital from the adjacent HealthPark Medical Center. It includes comprehensive pediatric services including a 24-hour pediatric emergency department, hematology-oncology unit, milk lab, Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center, and Level II and Level III NICU with 70 private rooms. Golisano Children’s Hospital is proud to have been named Soliant’s 2018 Most Beautiful Hospital in the U.S., a recognition determined by popular vote. For more information, visit GolisanoChildrensSWFL.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Miracle Network Dance Marathon?
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Miracle Network Dance Marathon is a movement powered by over 300,000 college students on 300 campuses across North America. These students work tirelessly throughout the year to raise funds one dollar at a time by making the ask to family and friends. Their hard work culminates in a 6-40 hour celebration on their campus, where participants have the opportunity to rally together as a community for their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Students involved in Dance Marathon gain valuable skills in fundraising, peer management, delegation and philanthropy. Miracle Network Dance Marathon programs have collectively raised more than $200 million since 1991.
Why should I get involved as a student leader?
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Miracle Network Dance Marathon is project-based learning at its best. You will take the lead in all planning and decision making. You will develop valuable leadership experience running the organization, its various committees, and events. You will build a network within your university or high school, with partners, and amongst the hundreds of thousands of participants across North America. Whether you are interested in a career in advertising, event planning, medicine, engineering, nonprofit, business, entrepreneurship, government, civil service, or really anything else - Miracle Network Dance Marathon will give you real-world, knock your job interviewer's socks off, resume quality, hands-on experience.
Where do the funds go?
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All funds raised through Miracle Network Dance Marathon are donated directly to Golisano Children’s Hospital to help local kids. these donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible.
Why does FGCU participate in Miracle Network Dance Marathon?
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Help students develop skills through hands-on experience.
- Miracle Network Dance Marathon is project-based learning at its best.
- Students take the lead in all planning and decision making.
- Students develop valuable leadership experience and gain real-world experience.
Provide students with a unique service-learning opportunity.
- Miracle Network Dance Marathon helps instill a habit of giving and creates civically-minded citizens for life.
- Students apply classroom learning to real community problems by operating a year-long fundraising organization.
Set your institution apart.
- Miracle Network Dance Marathon gives your school an edge among students increasingly concerned with choosing an institution that aligns with their values, not just their majors.
- Support of the program demonstrates that your school supports student programming and social responsibility.
- Your school will become part of a North American movement in higher education, aligning with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals' internationally recognized charitable brand.
- Your school will join an elite network of high schools, colleges and universities across North America that can help your institution recruit and retain elite students.
Encourage a sense of community.
- Miracle Network Dance Marathon unites your entire campus--students, faculty and staff across all classes, majors, and interest--around a single, local cause.
- The program can enhance your school's public image and bring heightened awareness to the institution in association with a strong, charitable brand.
- Your school can demonstrate that it is an engaged community partner.

Featured Stories

Children's Miracle Network Hospital Kids are the heart of Dance Marathon. We are honored to celebrate the milestones every child and their family makes across our nation. It has especially been our privilege to develop personal relationships with the families. Meet some of our Miracle Kids. All from Golisano Children’s Hospital, their strength and bravery are FGCU DM’s inspiration.

Myles' Story

Rylee's Story

Vincent's Story

Wyatt's Story