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The UI Dance marathon has brought needed fun to young cancer patients for 30 years

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Talk of Iowa, hosted by Charity Nebbe

Dance Marathon Events all over the country raise money for kids with cancer, and the Unversity of Iowa was among the anchor programs selected after the fundraiser's founding at the University of Pennsylvania. Thirty years have passed since the UI Dance Marathon's inaugural year, and the event continues to give kids and their families who are going through something hard a great day.

On Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe discusses the phenomenon that is “Dance Marathon” with the current executive director and one of the founding members. She also speaks with a Dance Marathon family who lost their son Calder in 2017 and continue to be involved with the program.

Guests:

  • Sushma Santhana, executive director of Dance Marathon
  • Brianna Wills, communications manager for the University of Iowa utilities provider
  • Grayson Wills, Dance Marathon volunteer
  • Sheila Baldwin, founding member of the UI Dance Marathon
Charity Nebbe is IPR's<i> Talk of Iowa</i> host. She also hosts IPR's podcasts <i>Garden Variety</i> and <i>Unsettled</i>. Since 2010, Nebbe has interviewed, conversed with, and shared ideas from guests of all backgrounds and locations, and has helped listeners better understand, appreciate, and explore their state and the world around them. Nebbe has a bachelors degree from Iowa State University.
Dani Gehr is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University. Since 2022, Gehr has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.