It all starts by signing up online. Then the quest to beat your personal fundraising goal begins. Weeks away and you ask for some spare change from loved ones. The weeks turn into days, you beat your goal and finally it comes. It's marathon day and you are hyped/scared for the next 12 hours that are to come, but once you enter the venue, you know life will be so sweet.

Going into the marathon, you don't really know what to expect. Whether it's your first year or fourth year, no dance marathon is ever the same.

But you know one thing for sure; you're in for a treat. 

It all starts with learning the oh so famous line dance. The hyped up Morale team of Riley Dance Marathon is definitely pumped to teach you a kick-ass dance to a mash up of some pretty awesome tunes. While you learn in pieces, you bond with other members of the marathon. Whether it be your sisters/brothers, some old friends or some new ones, it's a great feeling to let everything go and be your weird self while helping out an amazing cause. I mean, who doesn't love to dance around with people you care about while doing some good for the world?

But while the dancing may be totally fun, the real treats were listening to the amazing stories of the Riley kids. Each kid had a different story to tell but every single one moves you to the point of tears. They have been through so much yet they are still here and ready to dance with you! The kids are showing you the amazing work Riley does for kids, and guess what? You realize that you are helping out Riley Hospital. YOU ARE HELPING KIDS SURVIVE AND THRIVE.

That should be a great feeling in its own right.

Riley Dance Marathon teaches participants how great it is to give back. That it is totally worth it to take 12 hours out of our lives to give back to those who aren't as fortunate as us while having a blast. These kids have been through hell and back yet still have smiles on their faces. They are so full of life even with the worst of sicknesses. Their illnesses don't hold their warm spirits back from touching the lives of anyone they come into contact with. The spirits of the kids truly make standing for a continuous amount of hours worth every leg/foot ache. 

So, coming out of my first BSUDM I know one thing for sure. I will definitely be dancing for those who can't. I will be helping to raise the goal every single year to make sure Riley Hospital services can be multiplied to help even more kids. I will be raising money year long because these kids deserve it. And I definitely know I am not alone.

Riley Dance Marathon, thank you for an amazing time. 

Thank you for changing my life.

As always, FTK.