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Dance Marathon has been giving back for 50 years

Thousands of families to benefit from students’ fundraising efforts

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern University Dance Marathon (NUDM) returns to the Evanston campus on Friday, March 29 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The marathon kicks off at 8 p.m. at Welsh Ryan Arena, 2705 Ashland Ave, Evanston and concludes Saturday, March 30 at 11 a.m. The event is the culmination of a yearlong fundraising effort to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (RMHC-CNI) and the Evanston Community Foundation (ECF).

NUDM’s financial donations will help Ronald McDonald House expand their in-hospital programs, including a hospitality cart service that provides families with free snacks, coffee and activities. With NUDM’s support, RMHC-CNI hopes to increase family touch points by more than 10,000.

During the 15-hour dancing event, hundreds of dancers will participate in five 3-hour blocks full of music, games and student performances. Students will also have the opportunity to engage with families and charity representatives during the event.

Donations for the 50th anniversary of NUDM can be made online at go.nudm.org.

Media are invited to attend the kickoff party Friday, March 29th. Please email Stephen Lewis at stephen.j.lewis@northwestern.edu to RSVP and set up interviews.

About Northwestern Dance Marathon
NUDM is one of the largest student-run philanthropies in the country. Over the last 50 years, NUDM has raised more than $23 million for nearly 40 different charitable organizations.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana
RMHC-CNI is a nonprofit organization that supports families with children in need of medical care by providing them with free housing, food and other resources while their child is in the hospital. Every night, up to 177 families are kept close to the care and resources they need through six Ronald McDonald Houses, located near major hospitals, and five in-hospital Ronald McDonald Family Rooms. Ronald McDonald Family Rooms allow families whose children are in the most critical condition to sleep in beds just steps away from pediatric intensive care. Along with eliminating cost and access barriers to high-quality healthcare, RMHC-CNI’s facilities provide families with a home-like environment for sleeping, privacy and community.

About Evanston Community Foundation
ECF is dedicated to fostering positive chance and growth in Evanston that is rooted in justice and equity. ECF is committed to making Evanston an even better place to live, work and thrive.