Dance Marathon

[Hawk_4shur]

It's this weekend. Dance Marathon is a powerhouse charity for the Stead Family Children's Hospital, and it involves thousands of students raising money in a 24 hour torture test. It is, by far, my favorite charity. They do great things for kids with cancer! My son was a recipient of the gifts of this charity when he had leukemia, and then danced for 4 years in college. It is simply incredible what they do!

From the website:
"If you are unfamiliar with Dance Marathon, we are the largest student organization at the University of Iowa and the third largest Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon of over 300 across the nation. Our organization is a year-round endeavor, hosting many events each month including family events, fundraising and Dancer events, and our Big Event, which will take place February 2nd and 3rd, 2018. This past year was the 23rd annual Dance Marathon in which we were able to raise over $2.5 million for our kids and families that we support. Over our 23 year history, we have raised a grand total of $21,537,211.10 all For The Kids (FTK)! "

I encourage all to visit their website and donate. Then, watch the spectacle this weekend on the website as U of I students raise money For The Kids!

No child should have cancer. But when they do, the UofI Dance Marathon is there to help!

 

[Uwe.Blab]

cancer sucks. I was getting treatment daily at UIHC when they first started building the hospital and at one point my weight was down to like 119 and they made me stay in the hospital. Because the children's hospital was not separate, I did see lots of kids up there and well...wondered how they managed it so well. It is not fun and many of them seemed so strong.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Children, babes in arms, connected to IV poles. No hair, puffy faces. It's just heartbreaking.

 

[UKGrad93]

My wife spent several years as a nurse & nurse practitioner in pediatric oncology. She said the big thing with kids was that as soon as they felt good, they would get up and just be kids, playing and stuff. In some ways, they didn't know anything but the hospital.

 

[Uwe.Blab]

My wife spent several years as a nurse & nurse practitioner in pediatric oncology. She said the big thing with kids was that as soon as they felt good, they would get up and just be kids, playing and stuff. In some ways, they didn't know anything but the hospital.

yes I notice this too, that they are being kids when they feel up to it, for sure. it's pretty amazing how strong they are sometimes.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Bump. FTK!

 

[Hawk_4shur]

$3 million raised by University of Iowa students for children with cancer at the Stead Family Children's Hospital at Dance Marathon 24! Simply an awesome accomplishment!

Way to go Iowa students! They did it FTK!

 

[anon_01irjibf16qqj]

So amazing

 

[Hawk_4shur]

To a parent whose child survived cancer and received the blessings of Dance Marathon, this is more exciting than a last second score to win a football game!

 

[Uwe.Blab]

$3 million raised by University of Iowa students for children with cancer at the Stead Family Children's Hospital at Dance Marathon 24! Simply an awesome accomplishment!

Way to go Iowa students! They did it FTK!

Thanks for sharing this info.

 

[JRHawk2003]

My 3rd son went through ALL Leukemia treatment at UIHC. I can't say enough about Dance Marathon and all the things they do for families. Its truly incredible. No one wants their kid to have cancer, but these people truly help to ease the burden and allow you to focus on the treatment. I give to them when I can (Including at most FB games as they walk around the tailgating lots)

The event itself is incredible and emotional. The power hour and part where they honored the kids who had passed was an experience I won't forget. Next year my son will get recognized for 5 years cancer free. It was people like UIDM that helped make that possible.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

My 3rd son went through ALL Leukemia treatment at UIHC. I can't say enough about Dance Marathon and all the things they do for families. Its truly incredible. No one wants their kid to have cancer, but these people truly help to ease the burden and allow you to focus on the treatment. I give to them when I can (Including at most FB games as they walk around the tailgating lots)

The event itself is incredible and emotional. The power hour and part where they honored the kids who had passed was an experience I won't forget. Next year my son will get recognized for 5 years cancer free. It was people like UIDM that helped make that possible.

Our 3rd son had AML at 16. Then he was able to "dance" at 4 DM's. In total, we've been to 6 or 7 DM's. Incredible. Simply incredible!

Congrats on the 5 years! Graduation ceremony is the best!

FTK!

 

[JRHawk2003]

Our 3rd son had AML at 16. Then he was able to "dance" at 4 DM's. In total, we've been to 6 or 7 DM's. Incredible. Simply incredible!

Congrats on the 5 years! Graduation ceremony is the best!

FTK!

Oh wow....AML is nasty compared to ALL. I hope your son is doing OK.

We look forward to his graduation next year. He really is a great kid. Very worldly for his age. Good heart, wants to help people. 4.0 student. I couldn't be more proud.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Oh wow....AML is nasty compared to ALL. I hope your son is doing OK.

We look forward to his graduation next year. He really is a great kid. Very worldly for his age. Good heart, wants to help people. 4.0 student. I couldn't be more proud.

Yes, AML sucks. He spent 99 nights in the hospital over 5 months, had close to 500 hours of chemo. He hit his 5 years in 2011. Now 28, and healthy as can be. Thanks for asking.

Cancer in children is the worst. But, when they survive it changes them. Makes them stronger. Congrats on your son doing so well. How old is he?

 

[JRHawk2003]

Yes, AML sucks. He spent 99 nights in the hospital over 5 months, had close to 500 hours of chemo. He hit his 5 years in 2011. Now 28, and healthy as can be. Thanks for asking.

Cancer in children is the worst. But, when they survive it changes them. Makes them stronger. Congrats on your son doing so well. How old is he?

He is 14, almost 15. When he was doing this, he was 7-9 years old. It was 2010-13. It was a horrible thing, but compared to what I saw some other families endure, we are fortunate. Our son had a friend there he met at UIHC who did not make it. My heart aches for all those families. One of the worst days of my life was the day his port was put in and I saw what pain he was in and the feeling of being helpless to stop it was as bad as it gets as a parent. One of my best days was the day his port came out and next year will be fantastic.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

He is 14, almost 15. When he was doing this, he was 7-9 years old. It was 2010-13. It was a horrible thing, but compared to what I saw some other families endure, we are fortunate. Our son had a friend there he met at UIHC who did not make it. My heart aches for all those families. One of the worst days of my life was the day his port was put in and I saw what pain he was in and the feeling of being helpless to stop it was as bad as it gets as a parent. One of my best days was the day his port came out and next year will be fantastic.

As I understand it (which means I'm spit-balling here), lots of kids get leukemia as a secondary disease. They are already sick with something else and they get leukemia. My son, and it sounds like your son, was very healthy when he contracted the disease, so his body was able to defend itself better. He tolerated the treatment very well and stayed on course. So MANY kids not as lucky.

The second worst day of my like was the day I learned he had leukemia. The worst day was a couple of days later when I found out the prognosis was 50/50.

"Graduation day" is like the second birth of your son. It's an incredible feeling!

If your son has any interest in going to Iowa, you should know that my son got a $2,000 a year scholarship from DM as a cancer survivor. However, as a 4.0 student, he may have his sights set a little higher!

Best of luck to you my friend.

 

[JRHawk2003]

As I understand it (which means I'm spit-balling here), lots of kids get leukemia as a secondary disease. They are already sick with something else and they get leukemia. My son, and it sounds like your son, was very healthy when he contracted the disease, so his body was able to defend itself better. He tolerated the treatment very well and stayed on course. So MANY kids not as lucky.

The second worst day of my like was the day I learned he had leukemia. The worst day was a couple of days later when I found out the prognosis was 50/50.

"Graduation day" is like the second birth of your son. It's an incredible feeling!

If your son has any interest in going to Iowa, you should know that my son got a $2,000 a year scholarship from DM as a cancer survivor. However, as a 4.0 student, he may have his sights set a little higher!

Best of luck to you my friend.

Thank you and to yours as well.