The DM Mission

The St. Louis Area Dance Marathon (SLADM) strives to raise funds and awareness for Children’s Miracle Network of Greater St. Louis (CMN). Each year, participants from area universities, high schools, and the St. Louis community come together to benefit CMN’s two local hospitals, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. SLADM is entirely student-run and works to maintain a strong St. Louis tradition, increase the commitment and dedication of our participants, and continue to expand to include more participation from the St. Louis community. Our 12-hour dance-a-thon is the culmination of a year-long effort to fundraise for CMN, and the event serves as a celebration of the community’s achievements. All participants and visitors are welcome to enjoy the dancing, games, crafts, sports, and team competitions that take place at Dance Marathon. Participants are joined by CMN Miracle Children, who have been treated at our two hospitals.

The DM History

Dance Marathon is an event which takes place on a number of university campuses throughout the United States to benefit a variety of children’s organizations. SLADM was founded by Pankaj Sharma to benefit CMN here in St. Louis. Now in its ninth year, SLADM is continuing to make a difference in the St. Louis community.

The annual 12-hour dance-a-thon has grown from 100 dancers raising approximately $100 each to include over 600 participants and hundreds more visitors and volunteers who together raised over $123,000 in 2006. SLADM is based out of Washington University in St. Louis, which is the home of the Executive Board. Our programs include volunteer opportunities, hospital tours, pen-pal programs with Miracle Children, awareness campaigns, and fundraisers.