By Tom Ackerman
@tom_ackermanDI
In the second hour of a long night to come, dancers showed no sign of tiring.
Packed to the brim, the IMU houses students and community members, both young and old, and encompasses a passion as “FTK” is often heard in loud waves.
“I absolutely loved this event last year,” said Lauren Eddy, a student captain in her second year at the event. “It’s really cool to see where your efforts and money are going. It made me want to do leadership for the event.”
As a captain, Eddy danced with other leaders on the stage in the “new morale dance,” which is given at every hour at the annual event.
Voices and commotion filled the IMU and beyond from the energetic crowd. The noise throughout the building was constant, but when a presenter began calling names of lost loved ones, the facility fell silent.
Reflecting the colorful quilts spread along the walls of the Main Lounge, a presenter spoke through a long list of names, made by their friends and family, of those lost to cancer.
“We know the stats,” she said. “We know how cruel they can be – but we won’t back down to cancer. We won’t sit; we won’t sleep.”
In the event’s 22nd year, event coordinators have come prepared with necessary precautions for the night ahead.
“We have nurses ready for the whole event,” said Adrienne Cheaks, an on-duty nurse for Dance Marathon. “Sprains are more common during the first shift,” another added and suggested dancers stay hydrated to avoid fainting.
Chances Johnson, a security worker with Herky, said the event was an honor to attend because it’s for a good cause.
“To see all the families go out on the stage that have lost people is powerful,” he said. “Everyone here is family.”
Johnson also said he feels the University of Iowa is “always giving support to those who need it.”
“Herky is the backbone of this school. We’re here to show we support the kids.”
