Dance Marathon at the University of
Florida, one of the five founding Dance
Marathon programs in the nation, is a
yearlong fundraising effort that culminates in a
26.2-hour dance marathon held in the spring on
the UF campus. The event is packed with a variety
of activities and supports the patients and families
of UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, our local
Children’s Miracle Network hospital.
While Dance Marathon at UF celebrated its 25th
anniversary in March, Children’s Miracle Network
topped $100 million in total funds raised for the
UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, which was
established as an affiliate CMN hospital in 1985.
This year, Dance Marathon at UF made history by
raising a record amount — more than $3.2 million
— supporting more than 9,400 inpatients treated at
the children’s hospital each year. Funds raised from
Dance Marathon at UF have been vital to sustaining
construction and renovation projects in the hospital
and have been used to benefit Child Life and Guest
Services programs. Dance Marathon donations have
been used to purchase equipment like monitors and
sleeper sofas and to support pediatric research.
The extraordinary impact of Dance Marathon
at UF is most palpable through the passionate
volunteers who commit their time and energy to
this lifesaving cause. Travus White, MD ’15, has been
a proud supporter of Dance Marathon at UF since
he was an undergraduate student. As a medical
student, White not only started the first UF College
of Medicine Dance Marathon team, but he was also
the 2013 recipient of the Jen Krug award, which he
won for embodying the spirit of Dance Marathon.
“Dance Marathon changed the trajectory of
my career and inspired me to go into pediatrics,”
White said. “The fact that you can have such an
impactful student-driven organization raise so much
awareness for pediatric patients is astounding. It is
a unique, tangible experience for students — a true
celebration of humanity.”
Top: Students reveal total fundraising numbers at the 2019
Dance Marathon at UF event in March at the Stephen C.
O’Connell Center.
Bottom row: Students from the UF College of Medicine's Dance
Marathon team help raise funds for UF Health Shands Hospital
and celebrate pediatric patient Nathan Ferrell, who was named
the 2014 Florida Children's Miracle Network Champion.
PHOTO BY JESSE S. JONES
DOCTOR GATOR | 7