ABOUT US
History of Dance Marathon
Miracle Network Dance Marathon is a nationwide organization that raises money and awareness for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. It was founded in 1991 in honor of Ryan White, a teenager who contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion. Ryan was set to attend Indiana University but unfortunately passed away a few months before classes started. After his passing, his friends started Dance Marathon to honor him and raised $10,900 for their local Children's Hospital in the first year.
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It has since grown into a movement with over 400 Dance Marathon programs across the nation. More than $350 Million has been raised through Dance Marathon and 100% of the funds raised stay local in order to support the miracle kids and the surrounding communities. The fight continues today to fight pediatric illness and injury.
What is VOLthon?
VOLthon is the Dance Marathon program at The University of Tennessee- Knoxville. We fundraise throughout the year for East Tennessee Children's Hospital which is located right in our backyard. At the end of the year we hold our main event where we spend 12 hours standing and dancing for the kids that cannot and we fundraise all day long. At the end of the day our fundraising grand total is revealed. Every year our goal is to make a difference for the children at East Tennessee Children's Hospital and help raise awareness for the courageous kids at the hospital.
