UGA Miracle Dance Marathon Marks 30th Anniversary with 13.5-Hour Celebration on March 29

UGA Miracle’s 30th Dance Marathon will take place on March 29 in the Stegeman Coliseum, where the event started for the first time, from 10:30 a.m. to midnight. Dance Marathon will only last 13.5 hours instead of its traditional 26 hours. 

Dance Marathon is an activity-filled event held at colleges around the country where participants and Miracle families come together for a final fundraising push to announce the total earnings of the year of fundraising. The proceeds benefit the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. 

The event will include many activities other than dancing such as speakers, inspiration stations, a morale corner, a beads of courage table, lip-sync battles, a family talent show and more, said Lexi Buzzell, external director and head of the diversity team for UGA Miracle. 

“We try to make it super accessible for everyone to just have their own personal experience that they want at Dance Marathon,” said Buzzell. 

Buzzell said the event is expected to host around 1,000 participants.

The UGA Miracle team navigated big changes to the event this year. The change in location from Tate Student Center Grand Hall to Stegeman Coliseum and the transition from 26 to 13.5 hours in length have been the hardest obstacles to overcome, said UGA Miracle program director, Stella Mele. 

“Our Dance Marathon has run pretty much the same for the past 30 years,” Mele said. 

Taco Mama will cater the event. 

“If we can support a great cause and get our food in people’s mouths, we consider that a win-win,” said Will Haver, owner of Taco Mama.

UGA Miracle raised over $1 million last year for its Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. UGA Miracle did not give the fundraising goal for this year, but they do want to beat last year’s total. 

Buzzell said 90% of the funds raised will go to rehabilitation services at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and 10% will go to the AFLAC Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Arthur M. Blank Hospital, the same as last year. 

Pre-event fundraisers like Greek Week and President’s Day have already raised a record amount for UGA Miracle this year, Buzzell said. 

The event will host multiple speakers and almost all Miracle families. Among the attendees will be UGA President Jere Morehead, who attends every year. Buzzell said the event is expected to host around 1,000 participants. 

Mary Webb, a former Miracle kid, will be in attendance for her fourth UGA Miracle Dance

Marathon. Webb was diagnosed with brain cancer at 14 years old, but has beaten the illness.

“I just go around to share my story with others to share my story and to also help others realize how underfunded childhood cancer research really is,” Webb said. 

Buzzell said UGA Miracle is the official Greek Life philanthropy of UGA and Panhellenic is the top fundraiser for the organization. However, this year UGA Miracle has been working to expand Dance Marathon into the student body outside of the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic, Buzzell said. 

The diversity team has incorporated certain routes and helpers for people with limited mobility to increase accessibility. The team also ensures that people who cannot afford the $25 registration fee for Dance Marathon are still able to attend. 

People looking for more information or to register should visit UGA Miracle’s Dance Marathon website.