Indiana University Dance Marathon (IUDM) is the largest student run organization on campus. Hundreds of students spread out between committee members and dancers raise money all year for the kids at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.

Taking place from Friday October 28th at 8:00PM to Sunday, October 30th at 8:00AM, IUDM is all set for their 32nd annual 36 hour marathon. The event is packed with performances by Christian French and various IU singing groups, a 13 minute choreographed dance that will be taught to attendees by the morale committee, stories from the Riley families they are dancing for, and so much more.

This event started in honor of Ryan White, a young boy who passed away after being diagnosed with AIDS. A few years following the start of the first dance marathon, one of the 2005 executive council died in a tragic car accident following a meeting. Ashley Louise Crouse‘s memory and legacy will forever now live on in an organization that she devoted so much time to., In response, the organization dedicates one week to doing events to honor the two individuals which is now dubbed, Ryan and Ashley Week.

Every year, this group of students raises millions of dollars for a cause near and dear to their hearts. For some of the students, they are giving back to a place that gave them a second chance.

Carson Conrad, now a senior at IU, was seemingly healthy as ever until a checkup before his twelfth birthday. Conrad’s doctors could not find why they were noticing an irregular heartbeat within him and transferred him to Riley where they took care of the rest. He was diagnosed with a condition called superventricular tachycardia, and surgery at Riley on his heart was the next step. It did the trick.

Following the procedure and a few routine checkups, Conrad has no limitations or issue and says he owes everything to the staff at a place that made him feel at home.

Conrad said, “Even though I was just there for one day, a quick surgery and an overnight stay, I still saw like how much it means to them (the staff)” He now dancing alongside his twin sister Caroline for one last year on the morale committee.

The IUDM morale committee is a part of their internal group, meaning their job is most important at the marathon itself. Apart from leading the dancers around and teaching them the linedance, their job is mostly to set the tone of the event. With 68 members, they are the energy when energy is needed and the calm when everyone gathers to hear Riley stories.

Conrad states “It’s a group of special people that just allow me to be me, and I didn’t think I’d be able to find that anywhere.”

The IUDM members are going in with the goal of beating their 2021 total of $3,090,215.23. In the past 32 years, the students have raised of 46 million dollars for the strong kids that inspire them. To donate to the cause and the kids please visit the official IUDM donation page.

Instagram: @iudm_morale