Dance Marathon (DM) at San Diego State University (SDSU), a student-run philanthropic organization that fundraises yearlong for Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego (RCH), held their 10th annual dance marathon 12-hour event recently from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. In the process, they raised more than $200,000.

Since DM’s first event at SDSU in 2015, the organization has raised more than $2.2 million for San Diego’s sick babies and children, according to their website. This year, their main event raised $203,412.10 for RCH, said DM at SDSU’s Public Relation Co-Directors Ella Young and Noemi Portillo.

Although plenty of dancing is had throughout the event, there’s also food, entertainment acts, family stories and much more.

Young and Portillo explained in a statement that, “Despite popular belief, [DM at SDSU] is not just about dancing; it’s about dancing for a purpose. We have been working tirelessly this academic year to raise funds and awareness for Rady Children’s Hospital, a beacon of hope for countless children and families in our community.”

Director of Alumni Relations Zoe Dell was one of four emcees for the 12-hour event.

Alongside Director of Social Media Emily Warren, they “introduced the event and began the opportunity drawings and other activities,” Dell said. “[They] also introduced the Madi Taylor hour as well as welcomed her family. This hour is super close to our hearts so it was such an honor to help welcome them.”

Taylor, who had cancer three separate times before she was even in high school, was a patient at RCH, according to the DM at SDSU’s website section specifically dedicated to Taylor. The site explained that Taylor’s “influence on [DM at SDSU] can be seen in everything from the colors we use (periwinkle, her favorite), to the attitude with which we approach adversity. She is our ‘why’ and the reason we dance.” Taylor passed away in Oct. 2017 and has left a lasting impact on the organization.

Similarly, the organization selects a current or former RCH patient to be the DM at SDSU’s leadership team’s “Rady Rockstar.”

According to their Rady Rockstar site, these kids help with picking themes for the event, attend meetings and special events and — what is deemed “the most important task of all” — choosing the ice cream flavor when they’re all hang out.

Kellen, a 13-year-old who was diagnosed with a heart condition before he was born, was chosen as the 2023-2024 Rady Rockstar alongside his parents. “Kellen [helped] design merchandise, pick themes for our DM event, show us how to dance like a kid and much more,” said the organization’s site.

The event’s second half was covered by Director of Administration Cheryl Shin and Director of Rady’s Relations Brooke Larsen.

“The event was so much fun,” Shin recounted. “The room was always packed and the kids and their families said it was one of the best dance marathons they have been to. It was bittersweet being a senior but I made so many memories being able to MC with Brooke.”

Young and Portillo echoed Shin’s sentiments.

“No matter what the number is at the end of the night, getting the opportunity to spread the Dance Marathon movement is what matters,” they said. “We are proud of the amount we raised, but we are just as proud of the community we have built.”

The pair further shared that they don’t meet every family they’ve been able to help with the treatments and services funded by DM at SDSU’s donations. But, they continue to meet those they can and listen to their stories.

“Many of us have personal connections to the cause and/or Rady Children’s Hospital—San Diego directly,” they said. “We pride ourselves on being big kids fighting for the little ones.”

For Dell, this has been one of her favorite campus involvements.

Both she and Shin expressed separately that what Dance Marathon at San Diego State University accomplishes, is “so special.

Photo courtesy of @dmatsdsu Instagram account