Valparaiso University hosted its 12th dance marathon at the Athletics-Recreation Center on Saturday, a six-hour event fundraiser for Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. Participants spent most of the time dancing but also played games and heard testimonials from families and individuals who have benefited from the hospital.
This year’s theme was “Dancing by the Dozen.”
Maiah Deogracias, a senior at Valparaiso University, has been part of a dance marathon leadership since she was a sophomore and is this year’s public relations director.
“I started as a miracle maker, which is like a contact point for organizations and their team captains to get information, and then last year I was the director of catering, handling all the food donations for the events,” said Deogracias.
The dance marathon effort takes up the school year with planning and events.
“Executive board is chosen before the end of the year and the hype around our event is kicked off during welcome week,” said Deogracias. “We also have events throughout the year, like our 5K, which is called Miles for Miracles, and we also do other fundraising and awareness.”
Valparaiso University juniors Madison Schelling and Noah Houseworth, members of the morale team for the dance marathon, show off dance moves to those participating in the fundraiser for Lurie Children’s Hospital on Saturday, April 6, 2024. (Deena Lawley-Dixon/for Post-Tribune)
On March 29, the hospital dedicated a room in their facility to Valparaiso University, with representatives including student leadership there for the event. The dedication recognized the team’s efforts to support the hospital’s mission through fundraising. The team has raised $572,475 over 11 years. This year’s total for the dance marathon was $30,759.12.
“We’re very excited that our event has raised an amount of money over the years that allows us to have this honor and recognition,” said Carolyn Whitter, assistant vice president for student life and advisor for the dance marathon. “They have a little bit of Valparaiso University in the heart of the city of Chicago where people can walk by and realize that students that aren’t from Illinois still care about the kids there is really special.”
Luke Martin, overall student director for this year’s dance marathon, was one of the students who was able to attend the room dedication and tour the facility.
“Having an organization that I can take pride in and know that I am making a real impact is so important,” said Martin, a senior marketing major from Park Ridge, Illinois. “When we toured the hospital, just seeing the facility and seeing what impact that national dance marathon organizations actually have….having a purpose like helping sick children is what wakes me up in the morning.”
Valparaiso University student Reahlyn Bryce shares her story of how she was a patient at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago as she participates in a dance marathon fundraiser on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Valparaiso University. (Deena Lawley-Dixon/for Post-Tribune)
One of the speakers at the event was Valparaiso University student Reahlyn Bryce, a junior psychology major from Mishawaka, and also on the dance marathon committee.
“I was born three weeks early and I was immediately rushed to Chicago because I was not doing very well,” said Bryce. “They found out that I had multiple congenital issues.”
“My pulmonary care, my cardiac care and my regular doctor’s appointment were all there, as Lurie’s was the only place that had my special care,” said Bryce. “I have had 13 surgeries, a lot of them invasive, and a lot of them took place at Lurie’s.”
“We never had a bad experience there, they were always very welcoming, and we always felt safe there,” said Bryce. “They always remembered us and remembered our names.”
“I just want you all to know that these stories are happening to real people,” said Bryce. “I’m living proof that Lurie’s saves lives.”
Valparaiso University supports dance marathon events at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, and a new event at Valparaiso High School in 2024.
Deena Lawley-Dixon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
