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Meet DMUM!

Our Mission

Dance Marathon at the University of Michigan improves the quality of life for children with disabilities by:

* Developing relationships between college students and participating families
* Raising funds in a creative and energetic manner to support pediatric rehabilitation programs
* Educating the campus and community about our cause


Dance Marathon at the University of Michigan (DMUM) is one of the largest student-run non-profit organizations on the University of Michigan’s campus. DMUM strives to raise both monetary support and awareness for the needs of pediatric rehabilitation programs through year-round events. Each year we allocate funds for rehabilitation programs to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. These creative and interactive therapies enrich the lives of children, their families, and their communities.

Our year-round efforts culminate in the spring when hundreds of students stand on their feet for thirty hours to show their dedication to the children, families, and hospitals we support. At this event, hundreds of individuals and groups from campus and the community come together to raise awareness about pediatric rehabilitation. During the Marathon, dancers are challenged mentally and physically, gaining perspective of the even greater challenges and obstacles facing the children we support.

Visit us in our office,located on the fourth floor of the Michigan Union #4221.

Check out LSA's awesome video about DMUM and the 2012 Marathon!

The Hospitals:

The goal of these programs is to not only help the kids strengthen their muscles and develop necessary motor skills, but to also give them the opportunity to spend time with other kids and gain confidence within themselves. These programs are provided by a diverse team of highly experienced, full-time pediatric specialists at Royal Oak Beaumont and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. The money DMUM raises is used to underwrite the costs of programs put on by these professionals such as dance therapy, martial arts, therapeutic massage, horseback riding, and yoga.

The money allocated to C.S. Mott also funds the Child Life Department. The goal of the Child Life Department is to provide support services aimed at reducing the stress and trauma of hospitalization for patients and their families. The department utilizes a diverse staff of specialists, activity therapists, teachers, and an art therapist to meet the social, emotional, and educational needs of its patients. Some of the programs that directly benefit from DMUM include transplant and discharge parties, cooking and craft projects, Dreams and Wings, which is an opportunity for children to take short plane rides over Ann Arbor, and school re-entry programs.

Funds generated through DMUM help children grow and allow them to interact with caring and compassionate people. Thanks to the Dance Marathon at the University of Michigan and those who support its cause, as these children have opportunities they would have never had before.

Our Familes:

Currently, there are over 60 families who participate with our organization as DMUM families. DMUM families have children who have used or currently use pediatric rehabilitation programs. These families directly interact with the students and community members who get involved with the organization. Over the course of the year, lasting relationships develop and grow between the dancers, who raise funds and awareness for the therapy programs, and the families, who work so hard each day to provide the best for their children. Bonds created in DMUM uniquely impact both the families and the students. The children and families experience the support and enthusiasm of students and volunteers who are eager to make a difference. At the same time, dancers witness the tremendous strength and determination displayed by the children, and truly get a sense of how they are making a difference.

Becoming a DMUM Family: DMUM families volunteer to participate in our events and activities, but they are not the only families who benefit from the programs sponsored by the organization. Since the funds raised directly underwrite the costs of the therapy programs, many families have access to and participate in our programs without getting directly involved with the students in the organization. DMUM families make a decision to get more involved, and open themselves up to those who want to support them. If you're interested in becoming a DMUM family, your family will be invited to attend various events held throughout the year. Most importantly, your child will be given the opportunity to interact with our dancers. DMUM does much more than fund rehabilitation programs – it has even been said that it is a type of rehabilitation in itself. To find out more about how to get your family involved, please contact our Family Relations Chairs at dmum.fr@umich.edu

Programs

Please see this page for more information about the programs that DMUM supports!


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