FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Riley Names Room for Saint Mary’s College Dance Marathon 


--Next Dance Marathon is March 5-6--


Media contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 284-4579

February 18, 2011 (Notre Dame, Ind.)–Approximately 500 students from Saint Mary’s College, Holy Cross College and the University of Notre Dame are expected to lace up their dancing shoes for the sixth annual Saint Mary’s College Dance Marathon. The 12-hour event will kick off at 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 5 in the Angela Athletic Facility and conclude at 12 a.m. on Sunday, March 6.

Last year, the event generated more than $75,000 for Riley Hospital for Children. Since Saint Mary’s students began the Dance Marathon in 2006, they have raised more than $320,000 – efforts that earned the college special recognition. This month a room in the newly opened Riley Hospital Simon Family Tower was named in honor of the Saint Mary’s students’ efforts. A permanent sign reading “A gift from Saint Mary’s College Dance Marathon” will hang outside room W8118 on the eighth floor of the west tower.

“We are extremely proud of the students and leaders of Saint Mary’s for their extraordinary efforts to raise such a significant amount of money for Riley Hospital,” said Karen Roller, Assistant Vice President of Regional Development at Riley Children’s Foundation.

“It really is an honor to know that a room is named for our Dance Marathon,” said Katie Fadden, President of Dance Marathon at Saint Mary’s. “Dance Marathon began at the College six years ago by students who saw a need to help a children’s hospital better meet the needs of sick kids. Our students felt passionate about the cause then, and that passion is still strong. This isn’t just a fundraiser for us. We know local Riley kids and their families. We see the difference Riley has made for them and that makes what we do so easy.”

“The success of Dance Marathon is a testament to the student experience here. At Saint Mary's College we prepare women to make a difference in the world. Look at the difference that students have made for Riley, raising more than $320,000 in five years for the treatment of sick children,” said Karen Johnson, Vice President for Student Affairs at Saint Mary's College. “Dance Marathon is a student-led event, and our students handle every detail. They organize the day, book the entertainment, find business sponsors, get students excited to dance, and secure donations. It’s not only a great cause; it is also a wonderful learning experience for them as they get ready to start their careers.”

Student organizers hope to replicate last year’s efforts, which would bring the total raised for Riley Hospital to nearly $400,000. Students and Michiana residents can visit www.smcdancemarathon.org to sign up to participate or donate to the cause. The public is also invited to attend the Dance Marathon the day of the event.

Every year families from Michiana turn to Riley Hospital and its regional clinics more than 10,000 times. South Bend residents Chris and Michelle Quinn have relied on Riley Hospital’s care for their daughter Keely. Hospitalized in the Riley NICU from birth until 2 months old, Keely was diagnosed with a heart condition, a bowel disease, and a blood disorder.

“Keely came home but was flown to Riley two weeks later for emergency open heart surgery,” said Chris Quinn. “Then a year ago, our worst fears came true when at age 3 Keely was diagnosed with leukemia. She spent a total of six months at Riley for inpatient chemotherapy. She is now in remission, and we are forever indebted not once but twice to Riley.”

The Quinns and 14 other Riley families will attend the Saint Mary’s Dance Marathon, which is one of the largest student-run groups on campus with 111 students involved in coordinating the event.

“Keely is a testimony to the hope that Riley Hospital offers, and our family – Keely, her six older brothers, Michelle and I – look forward to sharing our story at the Saint Mary’s Dance Marathon,” added Chris. “The women involved in the dance marathon are inspirational. Their enthusiasm and energy reverberate all the way to the children at Riley, and the money raised is truly appreciated.” 

Three area high schools are also supporting the Saint Mary’s College Dance Marathon. Proceeds from these high schools are included in Saint Mary’s total. The high school dance marathons are scheduled at Bremen High School on March 11, Marian High School on March 26 and Elkhart Central High School also on March 26.

About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary’s College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” in the U.S. News & World Report 2011 College Guide. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

About Riley Children’s Foundation: Riley Children’s Foundation supports Riley Hospital for Children, Camp Riley for Youth with Physical Disabilities and the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home. As Indiana’s only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to the care of children, Riley Hospital has provided compassionate care, support and comfort to children and their families since 1924. Each year children from all 92 Indiana counties turn to Riley Hospital and its regional clinics throughout the state more than 250,000 times. Riley Hospital’s partnership with IU Health and strong affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine make it the leader in pediatric care in the state and the region. RileyKids.org