Family remembers daughter as Dance Marathon keeps moving

IOWA CITY- Dancing all night long for kids fighting to live.  More than 2,500 University of Iowa students, volunteers, and University of Iowa Children's Hospital staff put on their dancing shoes to raise money for kids with cancer.  The University of Iowa's Dance Marathon stepped off with hopes to beat last year's million dollar record.  Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds delivered a proclamation to the students on behalf of the governor's office.

“It's a great opportunity for us to just commend them on their efforts and just say thank you for all that the kids are doing, the students are doing, and to really commend them on their efforts in making a difference,” said Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds.

All of the proceeds from this event goes to the kids and families battling cancer.  24 hours to dance until you can't anymore keeps smiles on these University of Iowa students' faces.

In its 18th year, the U of I's Dance Marathon's raised more than $9.8 million for the University of Iowa Children's Hospital.  But for some this day is bittersweet.

"Sarah was full of attitude and stayed positive throughout the whole experience,” said Julie Reiss who lost her daughter to cancer.

Sarah Reiss battled cancer for two and a half years before her death in September 2010.  Her family wears these buttons in honor of the life she lived.

"Sarah never companied she just did the best with the cards she was dealt with. She was an amazing girl,” said Julie Reiss.

Sarah was also a huge supporter of the Dance Marathon.  Now, her twin little sisters dance and her parents continue to remember her at every marathon to support other families and the hospital.

"We knew we were in the right place.  We were getting the care for a daughter that was available,” said Mark Reiss who lost his daughter to cancer.

And the millions of dollars raised help families worry less about the odds and ends and more about the battle at hand.

"They provide computers, movies, games, parking vouchers.  It's one less thing that the families don't have to think about,” said Mark Reiss.

All by dancing, feeling the music, and keeping the spirit and memories of each cancer patient, survivor, or legacy like Sarah's alive.

"The young boys and girls that are in college, the commitment they have to dance marathon and to raise the money for the kids that they do is unbelievable. It's beyond words,” said Mark Reiss.

To dance for kids who can't dance and remember those who danced until the end.

The Reiss family holds a "ride for the Kids" event each year to raise money for the University of Iowa's Children's Hospital.  The family has raised more than $180,000 in memory of Sarah.  This year's ride is slated for September 15th.  For more information click here.

Along with dancing at the Iowa Memorial Union, a mini-marathon at the hospital gave kids too sick to go outside a chance to participate as well.