The University of Iowa Dance Marathon announced Saturday night that UI students and partners raised $1,801,032.20—$300,000 more than last year and the largest amount in the event’s history.
To see a related photo gallery, visit Dancing the day and night away for a good cause.
“Every day is a great day to be a Hawkeye, but today is especially a great day…a big win over Michigan and an amazing Dance Marathon toteboard,” UI Dean of Students David Grady said in a congratulatory note to the event’s organizers, referencing the UI men’s basketball 85-67 win over the Wolverines Saturday night.
Students raised the funds between April 2013 and 5 p.m. Saturday, when the 20th so-called “Big Event” came to a close. Mini-Dance Marathons, held by local schools, contributed $156,801.27 to the total, according to Dance Marathon organizers.
More than 2,000 people took to the dance floor this year for 24-hours from Friday to Saturday night in support of funding pediatric cancer research.
Over the past 20 years, UI Dance Marathon has raised more than $14.5 million for research at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.