Yearlong Dance Marathon activities raise more than $350,000

$92,000 raised during ZiggyThon

The 22nd annual, student-led Dance Marathon raised a total of $369,457.34, including $92,000 for this weekend’s ZiggyThon and $134,086.22 from Bike for Tikes. These philanthropic efforts benefit Mercy Children’s Hospital, which is part of the Children’s Miracle Network. This brings the 22-year total of donations to nearly $4.5 million.

More than 360 dancers participated in the 24-hour dance event in the Perry Field House, while 149 cyclists set out to bike 180 miles – Cincinnati to Bowling Green – in three days.

This is the 17th year for Bike for Tikes, the only collegiate-level philanthropic ride of its kind.

"Bike For Tikes is about the enormous compassion BGSU students have for Mercy Children's Hospital and the miracle kids,” said Craig Bell, Bike for Tikes adviser. “They put their whole body, heart and soul into this ride, and they do it all for the kids. Every painful mile, every pedal stroke into the wind is a challenge. The adversity these bikers face for three days, 180 miles, is a testimony to how amazing BGSU students truly are."

Money from Dance Marathon is donated to Mercy and will go toward new equipment for the neonatal intensive care unit, the hippotherapy barn, Autism Center and family services.