With Dance Marathon 15 (DM15) just weeks away, it’s time to make your plans for this year’s BIG event on February 6-7. This newsletter is full of ways to get involved with the event, even if you can’t attend. Dance Marathon Alumni Group (DMAG) organizers are happy to announce that in 2009 we will be able to host official alumni fundraisers benefiting Dance Marathon—as an official entity of the UI Alumni Association. Thank you to all who have been instrumental in this process!
 
If you’re interested in helping plan an event in your area, please contact mckinze.cook@gmail.com for more information!

Just because your days as a University of Iowa student are history, you don’t have to give up on DM. You can still sign up to be a dancer, spirit dancer, or to attend DMAG events during the BIG event. Alumni are free to come and go from the IMU, but please check in at the alumni table first to get your event pass.

• Friday, February 6 - Join DM alumni for a social in downtown Iowa City from 9-11 p.m. at the Airliner (upper level). A group will be gathering at the IMU at 8:30 p.m. to walk together to the Airliner.
• Saturday, February 7 - Dance Marathon will be hosting a FREE meal for all alumni at 11 a.m. at the IMU. Following the meal, DMAG and all alumni at the event will be recognized on stage at 1 p.m. Don’t miss out!

Sign up TODAY!
How much does it cost? Each participant is asked to raise $100 and pay a $15 registration fee. All participants are encouraged to raise funds above and beyond $100.
 
How does it work? This year, alumni will spirit dance from 12-4 p.m. on Saturday, February 7. As a spirit dancer you are expected to participate for 4 hours—the perfect amount of time to boogie away with your family and friends!
 
If you have questions about spirit dancing, please contact Danielle Varnum at dm.executivechair@gmail.com.

As a past participant, you know that you can never collect enough DM T-shirts! What do we have for you this year?

1. Alums can order the official alumni T-shirt for either pickup at the event or to be mailed to you in February after DM15. Wear this T-shirt year after year when you attend the BIG event!
2. NEW—for DM15—the student organization will be selling 15th Anniversary T-shirts at the event. Check out the design!

Dance Marathon the Marathon (DMM) hit the ground “running” in its first year this fall. A total of 81 students, family, and alumni took to the streets in early October to conquer one of the most demanding events in sports. Runners in the group completed an 18-week training program to prepare for the big event, 26.2 miles on the streets of Chicago and the Twin Cities.
 
DMM Director Alan Cosby was amazed at the turnout. “We had 80 marathoners finish in Chicago, 75 running in the race for the first time.  We also had a runner complete the Twin Cities Marathon,” Cosby said. Lauren Scheldrup, DM alumna and 2008 Chicago Marathon finisher, summed up her experience. “My favorite part was running next to my best friends and knowing that we were all running for the same thing,” Scheldrup said, “a cause that means so much to each of us.”
 
In addition to logging miles during training, all DMM athletes raised money to support UI Dance Marathon. Each runner was asked to raise $1,000 in commitments to the event. That money will also qualify each of them as a dancer for the 2009 Dance Marathon Big Event February 6-7.  Organizers hope to bring in $100,000 through their efforts. Dance Marathon the Marathon’s work was recognized by the Chicago Marathon by being named an official Participating Charity of the event.
 
Plans for the second DMM are already under way. Student leaders are now being selected to chair the event, coach runners, and oversee support.  “Next year we’re looking to expand the program to more students, alumni, community members, and faculty. If you’re interested in participating or are looking for more information, e-mail dmmarathon@gmail.com,” Cosby said.

When Abbey was turning one, she had an ear infection that just wasn’t healing right. She was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia) and began chemotherapy. About 18 months later, her leukemia relapsed and she started chemo over again with radiation to the brain and spine. She was cancer-free for four years.
 
Then, a high white blood cell count that continued after a sinus infection brought the diagnosis of CML. This is an adult type of leukemia that is not found in children very often. The only known cure for this is a bone marrow transplant. Medication can keep the leukemia in check for a while, but at some point it comes back. Read the rest of the Johnson family story here >>

Thank you to everyone who came to the “DMAG Night with the Cedar Rapids Kernels” last June. With nearly 40 DM alums in attendance, the night was a success. Mark your calendar for next year’s event on August 14, 2009!

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