The Cause

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

Check out Colin Northrup's inspiring message below.

For an indepth understanding of our cause and the many therapies we support please visit our NEW Education Station at www.dancemarathonattheuniversityofmichigan.wordpress.com
Here you will find tons of great information about Dance Marathon. Also, we encourage you to contribute so that we can keep the Education Station up and running!

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.

The Large Projects Grant Application is due March 8, 2010. Click here for more information along with the application.

Our Families:

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 and Hospital Relations Chairs at dmum.fhr@umich.edu