About the Wisconsin Dance Marathon
The mission of the Wisconsin Dance Marathon is to support the patients and families of American Family Children's Hospital by providing financial support, friendship and recognition.
The Dance Marathon will bring students, patients, families and the community together to create a legacy and tradition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for years to come.
Dance Marathon Dictionary
- Thon: Penn State's trademarked term for Dance Marathon, which is a model for all dance marathons today. Students at Penn State raised more than $6.6 million in 2008.
- DM: Dance Marathon.
- AFCH: American Family Children's Hospital, Madison's state-of-the-art, $78 million facility dedicated to the care of children, and the sole beneficiary of the Wisconsin Dance Marathon.
- FBK: For Bucky's Kids, the motto for the Wisconsin Dance Marathon. This slogan is a constant reminder of the patients that we strive to serve in our fundraising.
- Community Dancers: Alumni, university staff/faculty, and other community members who donate but don't plan on staying up all night to participate. Community dancers are at the Dance Marathon "in spirit" to support those participating for the entire 14 hours.
What You Can Do
Whether it's starting a team, joining a team, dancing, volunteering or attending and participating in events held throughout the year, everybody is vital to the success of the Wisconsin Dance Marathon. Whatever you choose to do, please know that you can help Wisconsin's youngest Badgers by supporting the kids at American Family Children's Hospital.
About American Family Children's Hospital
- Opened in August 2007, American Family Children's Hospital replaced University of Wisconsin Children's Hospital to provide a care environment responsive to the specific needs of children.
- Our world-class team of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals provide everything from preventive health care to highly-specialized programs. These include a pediatric intensive care unit, an internationally recognized transplant surgery program, a children's cancer center, a pediatric asthma center and many others.
- With inpatient rooms approximately double the size of the old UW Children's Hospital, the 60-bed American Family Children's Hospital provides patients and families from throughout Wisconsin a place to heal in a soothing, child-friendly environment.
- The 37,000-square foot Pediatric Surgical Pavilion, which includes six operating rooms and two procedure rooms, opened in September 2008. Watch a video about the Pediatric Surgical Pavillion
