For many students, involvement in Indiana University Dance Marathon begins as a way of giving back. For IUDM alumna Ella Self, the organization became the defining experience of her college career. Ella first joined IUDM during her freshman year of college. She began as a first-year dancer in 2023, before becoming the Hospital Relations Fundraising Chair. In this leadership position, Ella helped plan fundraising incentives for large events, such as Day of Hope. But Ella t

By: Conor Banks Last week, Indiana University Dance Marathon celebrated its annual Alumni Week, recognizing the thousands of individuals who have helped shape the organization into what it is today. Throughout the week, IUDM participants were challenged to raise $26 for the kids and families at Riley Hospital for Children in honor of the class of 2026. In addition to honoring all our wonderful alumni, we wanted to give special recognition to our newest alumni in the class of

By: Conor Banks Last week, Indiana University Dance Marathon held its annual Ryan and Ashley Week, honoring the legacies of Ryan White and Ashley Louise Crouse. The two figures serve as lasting reminders of the why behind IUDM, inspiring this year’s theme –– “Empowered Together to Honor the Angles Among Us.” Ryan, an Indiana native, contracted HIV/AIDS at 13-years-old. Following his diagnosis, Ryan faced widespread challenges. Throughout the 1980’s, he battled the stigma surr

By: Conor Banks Indiana University Dance Marathon is widely known as the second largest student-run philanthropy in the world, raising record-breaking totals for Riley Hospital for Children. During its 2025 Dance Marathon, the organization revealed its $3,135,391.23 total for the kids and families at Riley. But behind these large numbers is a growing network of high school students, known as High School Dance Marathon. These students make a difference long before they step