ETSU’s Dance Marathon team completed Tuesday night their second fundraising event for the Children’s Miracle Network.
Having only just come together for this cause last year, the team hopes to become a source of much needed charity for children in desperate need of medical care.
“I think the beautiful thing about Dance Marathon is that even though CMN is a national organization, we know that all the funds we raise go directly to the Miracle’s kids and families of our own community,” junior Hena Yakoob  said. “To be able to actually see and interact with those families, whether at the hospital or even our event, is just so special. I will be sad to see so many of our executive committee members graduating this year, but I wish them all the best. DM has a bright future ahead and I am grateful that I will be around for another year to see it.”
Registration for the event requires a small fee which guarantees admittance.
This fee takes the form of a charitable donation to the Children’s Miracle Network, which helps cover the costs of medical procedures required by local children and assists in the purchasing of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit medical equipment.
This year’s Dance Marathon event included catering to all who attended, a live band named Nature Feat, various dancing and music-based video games and a giant Twister board. All of these attractions were held in the D.P. Culp Center ballroom.
Once a donation is made to the cause, access to the activities is granted from 6 p.m. until midnight.
Also in attendance at Tuesday night’s event was Parker McGhee, a beneficiary of the raised funds.
Parker’s doctors discovered a staph infection in his foot and had to perform surgery to save the limb.
Donations helped fund Parker’s operation, allowing him to fully recover.
Parker showed up at last night’s event with his entire soccer team in tow to show support and gratitude for all those who donated and orchestrated the event.
At the end of the night, the executive board of ETSU Dance Marathon, consisting of 13 members, raised $17,583.50 for local children from homecoming participation alone. The event itself drew in more than 450 dancers.
In addition to these funds, donations are pouring in from other sources as well.

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