Dance captains practice the 2017 six-minute long line dance on Saturday afternoon. (Livia Campos/WUFT News)
This year’s University of Florida Dance Marathon surpassed 2016’s fundraising total and fundraised the most money yet — $2,724,324.19.
Dance Marathon 2017 took place from 9:00 a.m. Saturday to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, with more than 815 dancers from various UF student organizations dancing exactly 26.2 hours at the Stephen O’Connell Center for the “Miracle Children” of the Children's Miracle Network and UF Health Shands Children's Hospital.
The money raised from this year’s fundraising efforts for the Children’s Miracle Network will be go towards purchasing new medical equipment for the children, research, education and patient care.
Throughout the 26.2 hours, dancers were entertained with games, skits, line dances, an hour-long “rave,” a hypnotist, and stories told by the families of the “Miracle Children.”
The pinnacle of a year-long fundraising effort ended with the dramatic reveal of the $2,724,324.19 raised.
Participants of Dance Marathon pose for photos in front of the “Poster Wall” in the Stephen O’Connell Center on Saturday afternoon. (Livia Campos/WUFT News)
Dance captains practice the 2017 six-minute long line dance on Saturday afternoon during UF's Dance Marathon. (Livia Campos/WUFT News)
Children of the “Miracle Families” pass time by playing basketball with student dancers on Saturday afternoon. (Livia Campos/WUFT News)
The Dance Marathon merchandise crew work their stand on the first floor of the Stephen O'Connell Center. The merchandise stand was open throughout the entirety of the event from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon selling DM apparel. (Livia Campos/WUFT News)
Dance Captain Shir Ibgui (right) leads a group of dancers practicing the 2017 line dance on Saturday night during UF's Dance Marathon event. (Livia Campos/WUFT News)
Hundreds of posters decorate the Stephen O’Connell Center during Dance Marathon. Each of the 815 dancers had a unique poster made for them. (Livia Campos/WUFT News)
Dancer Donovan Vasquez shows off the letters “DM” shaved into his head in honor of Dance Marathon on Saturday night. Vasquez got the hairstyle in exchange for donations to his fundraising account. (Livia Campos/WUFT News)
Multimedia Captain Mallory Towe speaks with the sibling of one of the “Miracle Children” on Saturday night. (Livia Campos/WUFT News)
An Overall Captain spends time with “Miracle Child” Izabella N. on Saturday afternoon. Children wearing capes were identified as the “Miracle Children,” while those who wore yellow shirts were siblings of the “Miracle Children.” (Livia Campos/WUFT News)
Two Dance Marathon volunteers stand outside the Stephen O’Connell Center on Saturday afternoon directing dancers, visitors, and observers to the registration area for the event. (Livia Campos/WUFT News)