FIU’s 12th annual Dance Marathon breaks record benefiting Miami Children’s Hospital


MIAMI – Florida International University’s 12th annual Dance Marathon, benefiting Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation (MCHF) through the Children’s Miracle Network, raised a record $137,000 over the weekend in a dance extravaganza that attracted 130 dancers.

FIU students danced for 25 hours beginning on Saturday at FIU’s University Park to this year’s “Nintendo” themed production. Entertainment was provided by the Y-100 Street Team, DJ Cato-K, the Miami Heat Dancers, rock band “Dear Dad, Yours Truly,” among others. To participate, dancers were asked to donate a minimum of $150.

The funds raised will be used to help programs like Health on Wheels, the Heart Center, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, as well as other initiatives. Miami Children’s Hospital is affiliated with FIU’s College of Medicine, which will welcome its first class in 2009.

“It’s not impossible to make a miracle in 25 hours,” said FIU student Andres Penalvery, who directed this year’s marathon. “Our students are committed to the effort. Plus, it was a lot of fun.”

Last year, more than 150 dancers participated and helped raise more than $114, 000. 

“It’s especially meaningful to know that in these tough economic times, FIU and its students continue to be good and generous neighbors to those in need,” said Rosa Jones, vice president for student affairs and undergraduate education.

Since its inception in 1997, FIU’s Dance Marathon has raised more than $700,000 with 100 percent of the proceeds directly benefiting Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation.

 Media Contact: Jean-Paul Renaud at 305-348-2716 or jprenaud@fiu.edu.

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About FIU:
Florida International University was founded in 1965 and is Miami’s only public research university. With a student body of more than 38,000, FIU graduates more Hispanics than any other university in the country. Its 17 colleges and schools offer more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations and law. FIU has been classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a “High Research Activity University.” In 2006 FIU was authorized to establish a medical school, which will welcome its first class in 2009. FIU’s College of Law recently received accreditation in the fastest time allowed by the American Bar Association.