Dancing for charity

7th Annual Runner Dance Marathon benefits local hospital

By California State University, Bakersfield

February 17^th, 2020

California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) students associated with the Runner Dance Marathon Program will unite with more than 400 Miracle Network Dance Marathon programs at colleges, universities and high schools across North America to hold a "Dance Marathon" charity event in the CSUB Student Union Multipurpose Room. All funds raised stay local to benefit the Lauren Small Children's Center at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in Kern County.

The 7th annual Runner Dance Marathon will take place on Saturday, February 29 from noon to 6 p.m. Runner Dance Marathon unites students, alumni, friends, family, faculty and staff to raise funds for and celebrate the brave kids at the Lauren Small Children’s Center and "Dance #ForTheKids Who Can't." The 6-hour event will include music, dancing, live performances, dancing demonstrations, contests and stories from local Miracle Children and their families.

This year's goal for Runner Dance Marathon is to recruit 100 participants and the fundraising goal is $10,000. Associated Students, Inc. and Westchester Kiwanis Club of Bakersfield are additional sponsors.

“The caliber of students who participate in Miracle Network Dance Marathon completely contradict the millennial stereotype,” said John Lauck, president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “I appreciate the countless hours they contribute to this effort, the leadership skills they demonstrate throughout the process and the immense impact they have on local kids.”

Miracle Network Dance Marathon programs have collectively raised $250 million since 1991, when the first event was founded at Indiana University in honor of Ryan White. The programs are student-led organizations that operate throughout the year and culminate in an 8- to 48-hour Dance Marathon event where students reveal and celebrate the year’s fundraising total, participate in games and dancing and meet with patient families treated at the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

Runner Dance Marathon is currently seeking bad dancers (and good ones too) to dance #ForTheKids who can’t. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information about the event or to register, please visit: www.runnerdancemarathon.com.