Hey Ladies...

Guess who's coming to CHICAGO Dance Marathon?! Jesse Csincsak from season 4 of ABC's The Bachelorette!

A professional snowboarder, Jesse has also appeared as a coach on MTV's MADE, with a second appearance having just been filmed this month.  He also recently signed up for his first television hosting gig next month for a program called "Beyond the Medal" at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada!

In addition to being a cool and famous cutie, we love Jesse because of his huge heart and willingness to travel the country supporting various charity events.  He is the founder of JSAK (Just Snowboarding Ambitous Kids), a non-profit organization that helps snowboarders with Olympic aspirations raise money for training, travel, and related expenses so they may reach their snowboarding and life goals.  Check him out at www.jessecsincsak.com.

Come out March 6th to meet Jesse and the awesome miracle families from Children's Memorial Hospital.  We promise - it'll be an event you'll never forget.  Register today at www.chicagodancemarathon.org!

Fundraising Incentives for Teams!

As you may know, there is a $30 registration fee and $500 individual fundraising requirement per CHICAGO Dance Marathon participant. 

However, gather a group of your friends and participate as a team! Not only will you have a blast together but you can also fundraise collectively! Teams of five or more benefit from a reduced individual fundraising requirement - $400 instead of $500. Team fundraising makes this even more worthwhile! Let's say a teammate only raises $300, but another raises $500. This averages out to the $400 minimum per person!

So team up with your friends and come hang out with us March, 6th!  We can't wait to see you there!  FOR THE KIDS!!!

Joakim Noah and Aiden Stotz Boogie Down: MTV Cribs Style!

Come Out To A Non-Profit Networking Mixer This Wednesday!

Join YPC and Chicago Non-Profit (http://www.chicagononprofit.org/) for the first non-profit networking event of 2010! Approximately 10 non-profit organizations will be present (including CHICAGO Dance Marathon!).  Thaddeus Wong, co-founder of @properties and the event's keynote speaker, will provide insight into the current state of Chicago's non-profit community, as well as the importance of getting more involved. If you're interested in discovering new volunteer opportunities, learning about new causes in need, or just networking with other civic-minded young professionals, this is the event for you!

http://www.ypchicago.org/events/event_details.asp?id=88187

When: 

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 

5:30 - 8 pm

Where:

Metropolitan Club

233 South Wacker Drive

Willis Tower - 67th Floor

Chicago, IL 60606

For more details:

mfineman@chicagononprofit.org

Tickets are only $15 for YPC Members, $20 for non-members, and will include heavy appetizers and one drink per person. Space is limited, so register now! Stop by the CHICAGO Dance Marathon table to say hi!

CDM Featured In the Sun-Times!

CHICAGO Dance Marathon was featured today in the Chicago Sun-Times with a little help from Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls! Check it out! And if you haven't already signed up, hop to it! www.chicagodancemarathon.org


http://blogs.suntimes.com/ourtown/2010/01/chicago_dance_marathon.html

You Have 8,760 Hours in 2010...

Just 13.1 of these could save a child's life.


Be a part of the first ever CHICAGO Dance Marathon!  Not a dancer?  No worries.  Just remain on your feet during this high energy 13.1 hour event on Saturday, March 6th to support the brave kids at Children's Memorial Hospital.


Hurry!!!  Register today at www.chicagodancemarathon.org! 

Jonathan's Story

Jonathan Davis was born at 27 weeks and weighed only 2 lbs, 11 oz.  His diagnosis: Chronic Illnesses.  Born premature, he suffered many complications, including an esophagus that was separated in two parts.  He spent his first 102 days of life in Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago connected to myriad life-saving equipment.  Throughout his life, he was hospitalized so many times and had so many surgeries that his parents stopped counting the number of desperate midnight calls from doctors urging them to return to the hospital for fear that he might not survive the night.

Today, Jonathan is a sophomore at De LaSalle Institute, where he participates on the golf and swim teams.  He has overcome the unthinkable but he couldn't have done it alone.  He needed all of you, and he will be there to thank you personally on March 6th, 2010 when we stand together for 13.1 hours.  We're dancing to save the lives of countless other children so, like Jonathan, they too can share their stories many from now.

Register today at www.chicagodancemarathon.org!

Join Us At Quartino This Tuesday!!!

What are you doing this coming Tuesday, January 26th from 6-9 p.m.? You're hanging out with us! We'll be waiting for you at Quartino on 626 North State St.

$20 will get you heavy appetizers and a wine tasting! Come for food and fun, and stay to learn more about getting involved with CHICAGO Dance Marathon benefitting Children's Memorial Hospital. Make a resolution to get involved and volunteer in 2010!


What: Party With a Purpose

Where: Quartino, 626 North State St.

When: Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 6-9 p.m.

What to Bring: $20, your appetite and motivation to join CDM!

Event sponsored by Players Sports Group, Children's Memorial Hospital and CHICAGO Dance Marathon. 

For the Kids

So, what exactly is Dance Marathon, you ask?  Just click. :)

But don't stop there.  Sign up today at www.chicagodancemarathon.org 

A Look Back: Holiday Cheer and Ugly Sweaters!

On Friday, December 18th, young professionals across Chicago came out for food, drinks, friends and ugly sweater fun to support CHICAGO Dance Marathon and Children's Memorial Hospital.  Thanks to our friends at Faith and Whiskey for hosting such a great night! For the Kids!

Find Us On...

Did you know that CHICAGO Dance Marathon has a Facebook group and Twitter account?  Join us today!

Ask Aiden

(Pictured at right) Chicago Bulls Forward Joakim Noah is teaming up with 8-year-old Aidan Stotz to support Children's Memorial Hospital through CHICAGO Dance Marathon.


Watch Aiden's Story from the WTMX Radiothon!


CHICAGO Dance Marathon is filled with music, fun, friends, and positive energy, but ultimately it’s about one thing: the kids.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of children are diagnosed with serious, even life-threatening medical conditions like cancer. These kids face unbelievable challenges every day. Imagine undergoing chemotherapy while trying to learn your ABCs, or recovering from surgery in a hospital bed instead of playing outside with your friends. Through it all, these children show incredible courage, strength and perseverance.

Together we dance, stand and cheer in honor of all the brave kids who face long and difficult journeys to better health.

More than 140,000 kids received compassionate care at Children’s Memorial last year. Aidan Stotz is just one of the many you are helping through CHICAGO Dance Marathon.  Over the next several weeks, we'll feature stories of other Children's Memorial Hospital miracle children - many of whom you'll have the chance to meet at CHICAGO Dance Marathon on March 6th!  Here's Aidan's story...

When Aiden Stotz was only four years old, his parents, Carrie and Randy, received shocking news: their happy, active son had neuroblastoma, resulting in a fist-sized tumor in his abdomen. Neuroblastoma, a tumor of the nervous system, is one of the most common forms of cancer in children. Aiden immediately began a year-long series of treatments at Children’s Memorial Hospital designed to eradicate the tumor, including chemotherapy, major surgery and several stem cell transplantations. While hard on his little body, the treatments were a success. Today, Aiden is a cancer-free energetic seven-year-old. He loves to read and play floor hockey, and entered second grade this fall.


Watch Aiden's Story from the WTMX Radiothon!

What is CHICAGO Dance Marathon?

CHICAGO Dance Marathon is an exciting new fundraising event benefiting Children's Memorial Hospital. Modeled after the phenomenal success of collegiate Dance Marathons, the first-ever citywide Dance Marathon will take place on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.  


CHICAGO Dance Marathon is much more than an event - it's an experience you'll never forget. As a dancer, you'll enjoy non-stop entertainment, music and inspiration as patients and families share their heartfelt stories and cheer you on. Dancing not your thing? Not to worry! Simply remain on your feet during this high-energy 13.1 hour event (representing the length of a half marathon) to show your support for all the brave kids undergoing life-saving care at Children's Memorial.


CHICAGO Dance Marathon is a great way to get involved in your community, spend time with friends, create amazing memories and help the kids and families at Children's Memorial Hospital. SIGN UP TODAY!


For the Kids!

Welcome to the Chicago Dance Marathon Blog!

Hello fellow DMers!  This special blog is dedicated to bring you the latest news and updates on CHICAGO Dance Marathon. Check back regularly and tell your friends!