When Brooke Emory was six years old, doctors found a brain tumor on her optic nerve, the cause behind her recurring migraines. Rather than having the tumor removed via surgery, which would likely cause blindness, she underwent 18 months of chemotherapy.
Five years later, she is cancer free.
Emory's was one of 24 stories shared this weekend by children or their family members at UF's 15th annual Dance Marathon.
Dance Marathon raises money for the Children's Miracle Network, a nonprofit organization that funds medical expenses and research at Shands Children's Hospital at UF.
The event took place this weekend in the O'Connell Center, which was decorated with signs and banners from the sororities, fraternities and other organizations that participated.
Starting at 11:48 a.m. on Saturday, about 600 dancers stood for 26.2 hours, which was a piece of cake for some veteran dancers.
UF graduate student Matt Michel, a sixth-year dancer, said during his first Dance Marathon, he stood for 32 hours.
"Thankfully it's been shortened to 26 hours," he said. "It's physically and emotionally draining."
Every hour dancers performed a five-minute line dance to a medley composed of 'NSync, Lady Gaga and Def Leppard.
Michel, who came to the event with a sprained ankle, said although someone stepped on his foot while learning the line dance, he had come prepared with ice and a soft-boot cast.
UF sophomore Jessica Stark said she found it physically exhausting to be standing for so long, but took strength from the cause.
"My favorite part about (Dance Marathon) is hearing the miracle children's stories and what they've been through," Stark said. "When I'm dancing, it helps me keep going."
While dancers stood around, they played games, watched performances and spent time with Albert and Alberta. Once the Apocalypse Dance Troupe had finished their performance, they challenged members of the morale team, Dance Marathon staff who are in charge of keeping dancers motivated, to a dance off.
Later in the night, dancers celebrated the event's 15th occurrence by signing a banner, decorating party hats and singing "Happy Birthday." UF quarterback Tim Tebow also stopped by the birthday celebration to give some words of encouragement to the dancers.
"It's something amazing that you're doing here for all these kids," he said.
Dancers finally took a load off at 2 p.m. on Sunday, sitting themselves on the dance floor during the closing ceremonies, where Dance Marathon staffers announced that $413,562.34 was raised this year.
