Dance Marathon at 30: Meet the Lead Dance Partner

As a seventh grader, Sushma Santhana, like many in Eastern Iowa, prayed for Austin “Flash” Schroeder, a 14-year-old from Coralville who battled and eventually succumbed to a form of T-cell lymphoma in 2014.

Inspired by Flash, Santhana volunteered with Dance Marathon and started a Dance Marathon chapter, which raised $130,000 during her time at the newly opened Liberty High School in North Liberty. Now a senior studying biomedical engineering at the University of Iowa, Santhana is executive director of UI Dance Marathon 30.

“I see Dance Marathon as providing emotional support for children.” —Sushma Santhana

“I wasn’t originally planning to apply because it seems like a big commitment,” says Santhana. “After the event in February, it was such a great experience, and I met so many great families. That gave me the push to want to do more.”

PHOTO: TIM SCHOON/UI OFFICE OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION

Santhana’s task is much more than overseeing the Big Event—the annual student dance-a-thon that raises money to support the UI’s pediatric patients. She leads a 200-person team of student leaders—including 13 directors and 40 chairpersons—and works with two professional staff to put on their event, which attracts approximately 1,000 participants annually. The next dance will be the second to return to in-person after two years of virtual events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A priority this year is connecting student dancers with families, such as through volunteering at the hospital, so the students can truly see the impact of Dance Marathon.

Santhana’s passion for making a difference for cancer patients extends beyond Dance Marathon into her professional aspirations. She is focused on becoming an engineer who designs medical devices for children with cancer.

“I see Dance Marathon as providing emotional support for children and families when they feel the world is terrible,” says Santhana. “And then on the other side as an engineer, I can approach it by making devices that support them physically.”

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

One Family’s Cancer Journey

Grateful for the help they received, the Ulriches now work to support other families facing trying times.

Dance Marathon Turns 30: Feature Index

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