In a sea of 1,000 orange T-shirts, an excited energy buzzed through UNI students starting Saturday at noon and going until midnight. Held in Maucker Union, the fourth annual UNI Dance Marathon had a massive turnout this year. 

The lively bustle from students, which could be heard echoing to the top floor of the Union, was enhanced by a marked anticipation. On movie theatre screens raised high above the floor, a projection of children’s faces, smiling and healthy, played. 

DM committee members announced the names of the children, and to wild applause, each child, escorted by their family, came running through the back door of the Maucker Union Ballroom. 

These families, called “Miracle Families,” told dancers of their experiences with cancer. Inspired by their stories, dancers were ready and willing to face a day without rest. The ground rules of the Dance Marathon forbade sitting for 12 straight hours.  

Scrawled on signs, plastered on the backs of t-shirts, and even stenciled on faces, the acronym, “FTK” (For the Kids)  was an ever-present entity. In the minds of those dancing, it was more than just an acronym, it was a reason for being there. 

“I’m here to support the kiddos, but I’m also here for others I’ve known who’ve had cancer and passed away,” said Tiffany Bean, junior early childhood education major.

The purpose of participating in this event was for dancers to sacrifice their rest, and in some way, small or large, help a child who needed it. Those who understood made note of the influence helping had on their own lives.

“It just affects so many different people, and it really impacts your life,” said Lindsey Schmidt, sophomore family services major.

As the day wore on and afternoon turned into evening, after over six hours of dancing without breaking to sit, the executives took stage in the center of Maucker and did a choreographed routine to encourage their comrades in dance. 

“I think there’s just a really good energy tonight. We have five more hours and everyone’s still got a lot of energy,” said Emily Tams, junior public relations major, in hour seven.

That energy paid off. This year, the fundraiser crushed previous years by over $100,000. At the end of the night, executives announced that the goal of $225,000 had not only been reached, but surpassed. Approximately $280,000 was raised through donations this year, all of which go to Children’s Miracle Network and the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. 

When asked why they did it, the students reply, “FTK.” The answer is that simple. They did it for the kids.