Dance Marathon at 30: One Family's Cancer Journey

Why wasn’t it me? Why was it her?”

This was Alicea Ulrich’s first reaction to hearing her younger sister, Haidyn Ulrich— then 7 years old—had cancer in February 2016. After a ride in an ambulance from Cedar Rapids and a six-hour visit to the children’s hospital in Iowa City, Haidyn was admitted overnight and later received her diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Haidyn Ulrich celebrates five years cancer-free at the 2023 Dance Marathon Kiddo Graduation.

It can be scary the first time a family enters the hospital’s University of Iowa Dance Marathon Pediatric Cancer Center, named after the student organization that helped fund its creation. Families are navigating a slew of new medical information, requiring parents to be alert and focused.

Brianne Ulrich, Alicea and Haidyn’s mom, says UI Dance Marathon volunteers brought meaningful support to that overwhelming time. Brianne recalls that after being transferred to multiple rooms, “I had just had it. I worked all day. I was frustrated with what was happening, and this gentleman [came] in with a lime shirt, with crayons and a coloring book.”

That volunteer spent time coloring with Haidyn. “I didn’t have to think about her,” says Brianne. “I could step out in the hallway. I could have my frustrations out with the insurance. I could finally figure out what room we were going to be in. … I didn’t have to do any of that in front of her.”

The Ulrich family soon made the connection that the student in lime was from Dance Marathon. Nick Ulrich, Alicea and Haidyn’s dad, had a family member who was a part of the organization, and the Ulrich family had supported Dance Marathon five years prior. It was a full-circle moment for the family to see the impact of the organization on families like theirs.

Aid for Families

Brianne says she felt Dance Marathon’s support throughout her family’s first stay in the hospital. “Within the next week, the social worker reached out to me and said, ‘Here are some gift cards. Here are some pamphlets. There’s a student-led organization; it’s called Dance Marathon, and they want to help you in any way, shape, or form.’”

I can be the voice of all these kiddos that didn’t get to.” —Haidyn Ulrich

For new Dance Marathon families, Brianne advises, “This is going to be the hardest journey that you have ever been on, so if it’s $15 in a Casey’s gas card, take it. If it’s free lunch, take it. If somebody wants to come in and color with your kids so you can go have a conversation with insurance, take it.”

Dance Marathon funds programs such as the hospital food pantry, gift cards for meals, and gas vouchers for travel. These projects not only support the child undergoing treatment but also the family members dedicating time and energy.

Cancer-Free Celebration

Haidyn, now 15, has completed her treatment and officially celebrated five years cancer-free at the Dance Marathon 29 Kiddo Graduation during the Big Event in 2023. “I had a friend of mine that got diagnosed the year after me on Christmas, but she sadly wasn’t able to finish her journey,” says Haidyn. “I was thinking it is so weird how I [graduated], but at the same time, I can be the voice of all these kiddos that didn’t get to. It was kind of a bittersweet moment.”

For Brianne and Nick, Haidyn’s graduation elicited feelings of pride because it was also the first year Alicea was a UI student and family representative for Dance Marathon. Brianne says, “For me it was cool to see both sides of it, because we’ve been a Dance Marathon family and we’ve raised money for all these dancers. I was so proud of Haidyn, but, at the same time, I was so proud of Alicea because she was ... with another family, getting to show them what it feels like to be loved in the worst [time] of your life.”

Why Dance Marathon Matters

Haidyn says the highlight of Dance Marathon is having fun with college students who have a passion for the cause and take time out of their busy schedules to spend time with the children. “You always feel like a normal kid; you just have this label on you,” she says. “But when you’re with Dance Marathon people, [you] could be bald for the second time or have a whole head of hair and be running around [and feel accepted].”

“We are trying from the outside to come in and give them a glimmer of hope and brightness for the future.” —Alicea Ulrich

Her older sister, Alicea, now serves as a Lime Captain for Dance Marathon 30—responsible for recruiting volunteers, helping dancers fundraise, and supporting families. Alicea says being a leader has strengthened her drive for Dance Marathon’s mission because she can share from personal experience how the organization benefits families at UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Proud to support families fighting for a future where all childhood cancers have a cure, Alicea says, “We are trying from the outside to come in and give them a glimmer of hope and brightness for the future of their kiddos.”

Read More Dance Marathon Stories

Meet the Lead Dance Partner

Undergraduate Sushma Santhana guides 200 student leaders as the organization’s executive director.

From Big Brother to the Big Event

Recent grad Aidan Cunningham’s family connection gives extra meaning to his support for UI Dance Marathon.

Dance Marathon Doctor Duo

Physicians share how the Big Event supports cancer treatment and research inside UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Dance Marathon Turns 30: Feature Index

Supporters, families, and student leaders reflect on how UI Dance Marathon has changed their lives.