UI dancers raise $2 million ‘for the kids’

IOWA CITY — Dance Marathon's Big Event wrapped up Saturday night on the University of Iowa's campus. Dancers raised just over $2 million 'for the kids' this year, beating last year's grand total of $1.8 million.

Saturday night, Dance Marathon organizers announced the event raised $2,001,856.21 for youth cancer victims and their families.

But aside from the money, families involved with Dance Marathon said the fundraiser creates a lifelong community.

'I've had students tell me you guys are such a blessing to us,' said Nick Capaldo. 'We've told them, we have no idea how we could repay you for what you've done for us.'

Capaldo's four-year-old daughter Ellie was diagnosed with leukemia when she was just 20 months old.

'I went and physically picked her up and tried to stand her up in front of me and she looked at me and said, 'Ow daddy, my legs hurt,'' Capaldo said. 'Chemo started that Sunday and that's basically when our lives changed.'

Ellie wrapped up treatment in December and her family hopes in five years she can return to Dance Marathon classified as 'cancer free.'

And Team Ellie's morale captain said she also looks forward to seeing Ellie move forward.

'When we saw each other yesterday we were like running and tackling each other,' said Kaitlyn Lynch, Team Ellie's moral leader. 'That's fun to see her as my little sister.'

This is the Capaldo's third year participating in the marathon.