The University of Georgia will host its 30th annual Dance Marathon on March 29 at Stegeman Coliseum, they will continue bringing support and awareness for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta through the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.

The Dance Marathon, is bringing everyone together for their annual fundraising event with dancing and entertainment. The event is hosting students, patients, family members and sponsor groups. An event for all supporters to come together and celebrate their year-long fundraising efforts. 

With over 2,000 students representing more than 30 campus organizations, UGA Miracle raised over $1 million in 2024. Games involving incentives were played during the event, allowing for more money raised.

Mary Webb, a former brain cancer patient at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, has now become a current Dance Marathon committee member. Webb spoke at media availability, saying this event has a special place in her heart, as it will be her fourth time attending the event and her first as a committee member.

“I feel like that’s my purpose here, to help others,” Webb said. “And I feel like the way that I can do that best is to just share my story with others and hopefully inspire other people to join the mission of helping other kids that are going through difficult things.” 

This year’s event will be shortened from the normal amount of time, but features the same amount of fun for those attending. While primarily featuring dances, it will also hold a talent show, family story times, interactive games and a high school hour. The high school hour features participating schools revealing their amounts raised in hopes of being the top fundraiser. 

A key highlight of this year’s event is the 30th year anniversary of the Dance Marathon at UGA. Stella Mele, the UGA Miracle program director, says the committee plans on celebrating this by featuring an alumni hour, special merchandise and a wall where supporters can display their reasoning for helping the cause. 

Taco Mama is a sponsor of the event and will be providing a tacos and nachos bar for attendees. Will Haver, owner of Taco Mama, has a history of local sponsorships, such as Make-A-Wish Alabama, Pretty In Pink Foundation and the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. 

“It’s an organization that, you know, we feel is near and dear to our hearts,” Haver said. “So the miracle team at UGA was just a natural fit for us.” 

The event will take place at Stegeman Coliseum, officially starting at 10:30 a.m. and will end at midnight. These are new changes implemented by the staff from their typical locations and their usual 24-hour long run time. More information including registration and donations can be found on the UGA Miracle Dance Marathon page. 

UGA Miracle staff are on stage celebrating the seniors at the UGA Miracle Dance Marathon. Seniors were given their honors by walking on the stage for an applause. (Photo/Sam Mauldin)

Dance Marathon Honors Seniors and Miracle Champions 

By Sam Mauldin

March 28, 2026

Congratulations were heard all around at the UGA Miracle Dance Marathon. Seniors celebrating their final Dance Marathon were given honors by the staff and participants by walking on the stage to say their final goodbyes. 

In a bitter sweet finale, the seniors were able to reminisce on their hard work they have put into the UGA Miracle cause. 

Sophie Gaudette, a UGA Miracle staff member, finished off the senior graduation with parting thank you. 

“To the class of 2026 Thank you. Thank you for your heart, your dedication and your belief in this mission,” she said. “ We are so proud of you, and we know that no matter where life takes you next, you will continue making miracles wherever you go.

The Miracle Champions followed the senior graduation. Each champion was given their own celebratory stage walk. While on the stage, Staff members describe each champion such as their hobbies and future goals.

UGA Miracle members hold up the total fundraising amount donated. The 2025 event held at Stegeman Coliseum announced a total 0f $1,201,133.25 raised. (Photo/UGA Miracle)

UGA Dance Marathon, UGA Miracle Fundraising, Children’s Miracle Network, Stegeman Coliseum event, UGA student philanthropy

UPCOMING EVENT: UGA Dance Marathon sets up the recently added “sprint model” ahead of the Dance Marathon held on March 28, in Stegeman Coliseum.

UGA Dance Marathon Uses Sprint Model Ahead of March 28 Fundraiser

By: Samuel Mauldin 

ATHENS, Ga – March 17,2026

The University of Georgia’s annual Dance Marathon will return to Stegeman Coliseum on March 28 with a relatively new fundraising strategy designed to increase participation and prevent burnout among student volunteers and donors. 

Student organization UGA Miracle hosting the event recently aligned its fundraising efforts with the “sprint model” used by Children’s Miracle Network, a nonprofit dedicated to raising money for children’s hospitals. The model focuses on concentrated periods of engagement throughout the year rather than yearlong fundraising efforts.

UGA Miracle Executive Director Grace Tortorella said the approach has already shown results. This year, Tortorella has raised $10,000 more than her 2025 amount of $27,724.

“Targeting our efforts into a few specific areas rather than pushing for fundraising throughout the whole year, has benefited the fundraising,” Tortorella said.

According to Tortorella, the sprint model fits well with the nature of the UGA campus.

“On the UGA campus, our goals we looked at, we knew that there are certain priorities on campus, and UGA has a lot going on,” she said. “There’s something that everyone can be involved in.” 

Instead of expecting students to consistently fundraise throughout the entire year, the model encourages concentrated involvement during designated campaign periods. Organizers believe that a targeted approach makes it easier for students to participate without feeling overwhelmed by continuous commitments.

The marathon begins at 11 a.m. on March 28 at Stegeman Coliseum, marking the second year the event has been held at the larger campus venue. The event was moved there in 2025 and was shortened from the traditional 24-hour event to a 12-hour format.

Despite these changes, the fundraiser performed better financially than years prior.

The 2025 event generated an 11.7% increase in donations from the previous year, going from $1,075,281 in 2024 to $1,201,133 in 2025. Organizers hope the updated engagement model and larger venue will continue the upward trend in 2026. 

UGA Miracle raises money throughout the academic year for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, funding medical treatments, healthcare services and critical research benefiting children. The nonprofit organization is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, and works with local hospitals across the country.

The marathon itself remains the main event of UGA Miracle’s fundraising efforts. Participants spend the day dancing, playing in activities and celebrating the families and children who benefit from the organization’s work.

The event highlights the stories of children treated at hospitals supported by Children’s Miracle Network. Organizers say those moments help connect participants directly to the impact of their fundraising.

Since its founding, UGA Dance Marathon has raised millions of dollars to support healthcare initiatives. The largest fundraising total came in 2021, when the event generated $1,427,387. 

With another year of planning and a refined strategy in place, organizers hope the upcoming marathon will continue to grow participation across campus

The event is open to students and supporters interested in contributing to the cause through fundraising, volunteering or attending the marathon activities throughout the day.

More information about UGA Miracle and how to participate can be found at the official UGA Miracle website and through the Children’s Miracle Network website.