UI, ISU Dance Marathons teaming up during rivalry week

The University of Iowa and Iowa State University men’s basketball teams are getting ready for another rivalry game at Carver-Hawkeye Area on Friday. But off the court, UI Dance Marathon and ISU Dance Marathon are coming together to raise money for the same cause, the same kids, and the same hospital.

This week, the schools are collaborating on the One for One campaign. The goal is to raise $57,889, or one dollar for every child treated at UI Children’s Hospital last year.

“The patients treated at UI Children’s deserve so much,” says Drake Wilbur, UI Dance Marathon public relations and marketing director and UI senior from Des Moines. “We’re looking forward to working together and raising that amount, and hopefully even more.”

Last year at the UI, more than 2,000 people took to the dance floor for 24-hours in support of funding pediatric cancer research. UI students and partners raised a record-breaking $1,801,032.20.

Over the past 20 years, UI Dance Marathon has raised more than $14.5 million for patients treated at UI Children’s Hospital.

“Across the country Dance Marathon programs are accomplishing more than ever For The Kids,” says Erin Larsen, UI Dance Marathon executive director and UI senior from Waukee, Iowa. “UI Dance Marathon is no different and has the potential of breaking through the $2 million mark this year. The success of this week’s fundraising campaign in partnership with ISU will be a major push toward this exciting milestone.”

The Dance Marathon teams will announce if they collectively reached or surpassed the One for One goal on their respective social media accounts after the basketball game is over.

The UI Big Event is Friday, Feb. 6, and Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015. To search for a Dancer to donate to, click here. To donate to Herky, click here. To make a general donation, click here.