History Dance Marathon originated in 1973 at Penn State University. Since 1977, "Thon," as it is affectionately termed at Penn State, has raised more than $20 million dollars for the Four Diamonds Fund at Hershey Medical Center.   The Penn State Dance Marathon is the nation's largest student-run philanthropy. Today, there are 18 other top schools around the country with Dance Marathons that benefit the Children's Miracle Network.  Funds raised by all the marathons totaled $602,000 in 1998. Dance Marathon at UGA started when... Children's Miracle Network(CMN) approached the Office of Greek Life at UGA during the fall quarter of 1994 to propose Dance Marathon as a campus-wide philanthropy event.  CMN flew the GreekLife Graduate Assistant to the AFA Convention where many other schools already participating in marathons made presentations and spoke with our Graduate Assistant.  Once back in Athens she proposed the idea to the Office of Greek Life. CMN representatives then came to campus to propose the event to the individual philanthropy chairpersons from the fraternities and sororities.  Each chairperson took this information back to his/her organization and took a vote.  At a later meeting, the representatives voiced their chapters' willingness to participate and support Dance Marathon at UGA.  Greek Life also sought the support of the Residence Hall Association and other organizations who agreed to participate as well. It has been going strong ever since. At the University of Georgia it is the largest independent student run philanthropy in the State. Since its start, we have raised over $840,000 for the Children's Miracle Network. Our goal for the 2004 Dance Marathon is to beat last year's amazing total of $173,765.20 ! WE CAN DO IT!!! Everyone should help with this satisfying experience and enjoy the FUN. Participants will have the opportunity to meet many Miracle Children whose lives have been saved because of Children's Miracle Network. These kids represent all that the Marathon strives to accomplish.

Questions/Comments on the site? Email Ward@uga.edu.