Dance Marathon at FSU gave $697,380.85 to the College of Medicine's pediatric outreach, taking its total since 2003 past $11.5 million. Where the money goes.
Florida State University students have now given more than $11.5 million to the FSU College of Medicine for children’s health care. Dance Marathon at FSU handed the college a check for $697,380.85 this fall, the university said Oct. 15.
The money goes to the college’s pediatric outreach programs. The college became a beneficiary in 2003.
The numbers
The university gave these figures:
- The 2026 marathon, the 31st, raised a little over $1.5 million.
- It was the 12th year the event topped $1 million.
- The College of Medicine’s share this year was $697,380.85.
- The rest goes to UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville, about 150 miles southeast. It is the region’s Children’s Miracle Network hospital.
- Since the first marathon in 1996, the students have raised almost $25 million.
Dance Marathon at FSU is the largest student-run philanthropy on campus, the university said. Hundreds of students take part. They fundraise all year, and the work ends in a three-day event with closing ceremonies on the first Sunday in March.
The group was one of the five founding dance marathons in the Children’s Miracle Network.
Where the money is used in Tallahassee
The college’s partners in pediatric outreach attended the check ceremony on Oct. 5, the university said. They explained to students how they use the money to widen children’s access to care.
One is the pediatric outreach program at the college’s Van Durme PrimaryHealth Center. The university said the clinic serves the southwest Tallahassee community.
What they said
“The mission of Dance Marathon is greater than the dollars raised,” said Emmanuella Essien, the 2027 executive director. “It’s about bringing people together around something that matters, while helping ensure kids have access to the care they need and families don’t have to face difficult moments alone.”
Dr. Alma B. Littles, dean of the College of Medicine, said the FSU marathon has consistently finished in the top five among dance marathons supporting the network. She noted it raised more this year than the University of Florida’s marathon held the same weekend.
What it means for you
Dance Marathon’s fundraising runs all year and ends with the three-day event in March, so the 2027 drive is the next chance to give. The College of Medicine’s share pays for its pediatric outreach programs, including the Van Durme clinic’s work with children in southwest Tallahassee.
For other ways to get involved around town, see our things to do in Tallahassee page.
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