FAQ
What is Purdue University Dance Marathon?
Purdue University Dance Marathon (PUDM) is the largest philanthropic organization on Purdue University’s campus. PUDM’s mission is to provide emotional and financial support for the children and families of Riley Hospital for Children. PUDM aims to unite the campus behind a common cause: ending childhood illness. The main event is a dance marathon where over 1800 Boilermakers stand for 18 hours on a Saturday night in the fall semester. During the marathon, participants meet and hear stories from Riley families, learn a morale dance, and participate in many other engaging activities, not sitting down or sleeping the entire 18 hours.
What is Riley Hospital for Children?
Riley Hospital for Children is a children’s hospital based in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was opened in 1924 as a memorial for Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley. Almost 100 years later, there are now over 50 locations of Riley Hospital across Indiana serving all 92 counties, making it the largest and most skilled pediatric system in the state. Riley also serves many children who travel from other states and countries for specialty care and pediatric research trials. Riley Children’s Health is one of the top 10 sites in the United States for pediatric health research. Additionally, in 2019 Riley Hospital was nationally ranked in 8 specialties.
Where do the funds raised by PUDM specifically go at Riley Hospital?
Purdue University Dance Marathon raises funds for Child Life Programs at Riley Hospital for Children, pediatric cancer research at the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, and the Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment for Riley Hospital. The first $100,000 raised goes towards Child Life Programs at Riley Hospital and the remaining amount goes to pediatric cancer research. Every dollar that is donated is matched by about $10 in federal funding and 100% of the funds raised by PUDM goes straight to Riley Hospital.
What are Child Life Programs?
Child Life Programs are programs for patients to learn socialization, communication, and coping skills through play and interventions facilitated by Child Life Specialists. The purpose of the Child Life Programs at Riley is to minimize the anxiety children have about their treatment, procedures, tests, appointments, and hospitalization by supporting them emotionally, socially, and educationally.
What are Child Life Specialists?
Child Life Specialists are certified professionals with advanced education in children’s health, education, and development. They provide medical play/preparation, procedural support, psychological and emotional support, and developmentally appropriate activities to inpatient units, outpatient clinics, day surgery, radiology, and emergency medicine.
What is the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research?
The Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research houses more than 200 faculty seeking answers to the most pressing questions related to childhood illness. Physicians and researchers collaborate to increase knowledge of causes and mechanisms of pediatric diseases to develop innovative approaches to diagnosis and treat patients.
What is the Children’s Miracle Network?
The Children’s Miracle Network is a network of 170 children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada. Riley Hospital for Children is a part of the Children’s Miracle Network. Children’s Miracle Network hospitals treat 32 million children each year in the United States and Canada.
