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Indiana University Dance Marathon (IUDM) is a student organization that raises funds and awareness for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. In 1991, IUDM was established by IU alumnus Jill Stewart shortly after her good friend Ryan White passed away from AIDS. Ryan was a hemophiliac at birth that contracted HIV through an infected blood transfusion. At the time of his diagnosis of HIV, very little was known about the disease and the associated stigma was stronger than ever. Ryan didn’t want any of the children to have to experience the negative effects of the stigma, so he traveled the country speaking at various events, high schools, and even went in front of the President’s Commission on AIDS. IUDM strives to instill the type of passion and dedication that Ryan had by raising funds and awareness for Riley Hospital. After fulfilling our endowment for the Ryan White Infectious Disease Center (RWIDC) at Riley Hospital, we began dedicated our funds to the Wells Center for Pediatric Research. IUDM is split up into 18 committees that work year-round to raise money, plan events, and prepare for our culminating event called the Dance Marathon. The Dance Marathon is a 36-hour event that consists of over 4,000 IU students (called Dancers) that stand on their feet in honor of Ryan White and the children being treated at Riley Hospital for Children. At the event there are various games, bands, Riley family speakers, IU faculty speakers, meals, snacks, and much, much more. At the end of the 36 hours, the total amount raised for Riley Hospital for that year is revealed. In 2019, IUDM raised over $4.25 million and in all IUDM has raised over $40 million for the kids at Riley Hospital. This year is the 30th anniversary of IUDM and the event will take place November 6-8th. Please check out www.iudm.org/register to join our IUDM family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97rxRPodCLo&feature=youtu.be
