What is DemonTHON?
DemonTHON is a year-long fundraising organization, benefiting Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago that culminates in a 24-hour student-run Dance Marathon every spring. Throughout the duration of the year, DemonTHON hosts events on campus and throughout the City of Chicago that engage students at DePaul University and families that are being treated at Lurie Children’s Hospital.
Mission & Vision
DemonTHON's mission is to build a year-long fundraising effort that culminates in a 24-hour Dance Marathon to honor the patients and families treated at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and to celebrate the efforts of the DePaul University students that work to support these patients and families.
DemonTHON aspires to be the premiere student-run philanthropic event at DePaul University; bringing together a diverse community focused on enacting the Vincentian values found at the core of DePaul. Our vision is guided by students, staff and community members committed to raising funds, awareness and support for children with pediatric illness.
Who We Benefit
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, formerly Children’s Memorial Hospital, is a 23-story, state-of-the-art hospital located in downtown Chicago. Lurie Children’s is ranked as one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals in the U.S News & World Report 2012-13 Honor Roll rankings. Lurie Children’s provides pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. The hospital relies on philanthropic support to care for more than 148,000 children each year. To learn please check out luriechildrens.org.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals across the United States and Canada, which, in turn, use the money where it’s needed the most. When a donation is given it stays in the community, helping local kids. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4.7 billion, most of it $1 at a time. These donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of the mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Learn more at childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org.
Miracle Families
The miracle families are what make DemonTHON possible. They are the reason we stand, dance, raise money, and chant “FTK!” as often as possible. What we do makes a difference not only in a sick child’s life, but in his or her entire family’s lives. Lurie Children’s Hospital works tirelessly to make each family comfortable and give them peace of mind, a truly priceless gift. We help make that possible! Families come to our events to remind us why we dance by sharing their incredible stories and showing gratitude for all the hospital has done for them.
If you have a Miracle story and would like to share it at DemonTHON, please let us know! You can contact the Director of Family Relations at demonthon.familyrelations@gmail.com.
The History of DemonTHON
DemonTHON 2016
In DemonTHON's fifth year, the organization set out to join the million dollar mark for total fundraising. The DePaul University community welcomed this challenge and accomplished it on April 30th, 2016. This fundraising record makes DemonTHON one of the fastest growing Dance Marathons in Miracle Network Dance Marathon history. With a total of $274,877.77 fundraised in its fifth year, the organization hit exactly One Million Dollars and continues to be recognized in the Platinum Circle of Giving at Lurie Children's Hospital.
$1,000,000.00
DemonTHON 2015
In their first year without their founders, DemonTHON continues to embody the DePaul mission by raising $257,048.12 for the families at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. With their total fund-raising reaching over $725,000 they enter the Platinum Circle of Giving at Lurie Children’s and set on to make DemonTHON a can’t-miss event for the DePaul Community.
$725,112.23
DemonTHON 2014
DePaul University and the Chicago community embrace DemonTHON as a campus-wide philanthropic effort. Together they continue to provide miracles to the kids at Lurie Children’s by raising $214,050.46, putting their total fund-raised at nearly half a million dollars. DemonTHON is ranked 17th of 270 national Dance Marathon programs.
$468,064.11
DemonTHON 2013
As a yearlong fundraising organization, students build upon initial connections with families and other teams throughout the year. On May 16th, the DePaul community raises $150,313.37 breaking another national record for second-year fundraising.
$254,013.65
DemonTHON 2012
Dance Marathon grows rapidly at DePaul, with 244 students registering for the first Big Event in McGrath Arena. On May 11th, DePaul broke the national record for first-year fundraising by over $40k, raising $103,700.28 for the kids at Lurie Children’s. DePaul University is awarded Best New Dance Marathon by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
$103,700.28
Founded in 2011
DemonTHON was founded by Jason Knoespel, Raissa Correa, Blair Janis and Advisor Bill Mattera. The first Management Team recruited students to build a program that would create affinity for the university and serve the life-saving mission of the hospital.
