Standing for 26.2 hours may seem like a miracle to some UF students, but dancers do it annually in the name of Children’s Miracle Network.
While the some students who register for Dance Marathon, which takes place this weekend, may sign up once and vow never to return, some choose to come back several times.
Matt Michel, a second-year law student at UF who is in his eighth consecutive Dance Marathon, began participating in the event during his freshman year.
The first couple of years Michel participated, the marathon went for 32 hours instead of 26.2. Michel described the experience as an endurance test. However, he said going without sleep was worth it to help the children who are constantly in and out of hospital beds.
“As bad as my legs hurt toward the end of it, it pales in comparison to the children who suffer constantly,” Michel said.
He said he is not sure if he will sign up to be a dancer for a ninth year, but said he wants to remain involved in some way.
Andrew Stepp, another UF student who will be recognized for his involvement in the event, will be dancing for his fourth consecutive year.
After Stepp participated during his freshman year he vowed to never put himself through the torture again.
But that same year, a family came to talk about their baby son, Zander, who wore a purple helmet to protect his head because he had severe brain damage.
When Stepp saw how lively and happy Zander was, it made an impression on him.
Two years later, the same child came back to the event to speak. The helmet was gone and Zander was living a normal and happy life.
“I would have never known about the impact we made unless I was actively involved in Dance Marathon,” Stepp said.
Jill Rose, a UF senior who will be participating in her fourth consecutive Dance Marathon, got involved her freshman year while volunteering at Shands Hospital. During the event she didn’t even notice the time passing.
“At one point you get really tired and then you get over it, then you’re just delirious,” Rose said.
Rose recalled another young boy from Children’s Miracle Network who comes each year and raps for the dancers.
“Him rapping just shows you that he is still a little kid even though he’s been through so much,” Rose said. “He still wants to be a little kid and still wants a normal life.”
