Dance Marathon is a movement that partners with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to raise money in high schools and colleges across America. Students spend all year developing leadership and service skills while planning and raising awareness for their biggest event, called Dance Marathon, which takes place in the spring. The University of Alabama has had a Dance Marathon chapter for the past four years, and they plan to make this year bigger and better than ever.

Allison Peters, president of UADM, has been involved since she was a freshman and has loved watching the organization grow over her career at the University.

“I started to get really involved once I got to meet one of our miracle families that we sponsor.” Peters said. “Their daughter’s name was Ashley, and we got to talk to her and her mom. After they shared all that Children’s Hospital [of Alabama] had done for her, I realized that this was a great way to spend my time in college with an organization that works with incredible girls like Ashley.”

Since Peters’s first year on staff, UADM has doubled their fundraising efforts and expanded their presence on campus.

“I was president last year and just seeing how much the [organization] has grown with our fundraising dollars and in awareness on campus since our freshman year, and just seeing that growth and the capacity for campus to come together and do something this big made me want to stay with it and keep it going,” she said. 

Ali Stedke, a sophomore majoring in Biology, said that UADM was a great way for her to get involved her freshman year and establish a leadership role early on in her career.

“The energy of all the staff members and their commitment to a cause greater than themselves is an inspiration.” Steak said. “I absolutely love being able to meet the kids and know that we are helping them not only with their hospital stay but also helping them have an awesome, fun, childhood experience through UADM.”

UADM partnered with the Center for Service and Leadership this year and are working to reach all areas of campus. They have created a new entry-level leadership position where freshmen and new members can become ambassadors for UADM by bringing awareness to the organizations they are already involved in.

“I think college is the time that you need to realize the ability that you have to make a big difference because alone just going through your classes and trying to get just yourself ahead, you can only get so far. When you get together with a thousand of your closest friends and all come together for the same purpose and you see that change that you can make, I think that really prepares you for what you are able to do in the future.” Peters said.

Visit uadm.ua.edu to find more ways to get involved with the organization or to donate to Children’s Hospital of Alabama.