Every year more than 150 schools across the nation raise money for the Children's Miracle Network Hospital in its local community through dance.

The sixth annual Dance Marathon at Southeast Missouri State University will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on March 31st in the Student Recreation Center-North.

Southeast will raise money for Children's Miracle Network of Greater St. Louis which directly supports SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center and St. Louis Children's Hospital.

Children's Miracle Network Hospital is a non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children's hospitals around the nation. It is the only national children's charity that gives 100 percent of its raised funds to the local hospital to support local kids.

The organization provides $2.5 billion in charity care each year. More than $8 million has been raised for Children's Miracle Network through Dance Marathon in last year alone. The dance event has raised $50 million since it first began in 1991.

Dance Marathon was founded by a group of university students in the memory of their fellow classmate Ryan White. White was the national poster child for HIV/AIDS in the United States after becoming infected by a contaminated blood treatment. White was expelled from his middle school for a period of time and once he came back many parents and teachers rallied against his return. A lengthy legal battle took place and the media put White into the center of attention, making him a national celebrity and spokesperson for the disease.

Dance Marathon has stretched across the country and has become an annual tradition in many high schools and universities.

Southeast has raised a total of $56,000 through the Dance Marathon event since it first took place in 2007.

Dance Marathon at Southeast started with a child named Matthew Williams. The Williams family was the first family to attend and Matthew was the first child to be supported through the event making him known as Southeast's first miracle child.

The Matthew Willams Award is given to the team at the last hour with the most remaining members that also raised the most funding.

"Our Dance Marathon really started with his family's help," Dance Marathon President Kristin Binz said.

Fundraising starts a year in advance from when the event takes place. Southeast participants have been fundraising and sending out letters for donations since November.

A majority of the funding is raised through letter writing from the registered dancers. Each dancer provides the Letter Writing Committee five to 10 addresses of family and friends that are willing to donate to CMN St. Louis. Dance teams have to raise a minimum of $50.

In 2012, $4,000 has been raised through fundraising events at local businesses around Cape Girardeau like Texas Roudhouse, Culvers, and Walmart.

"I think SEMO has a small identity crisis because students don't exactly know what it's all about," Binz said. "There's a lot more to Dance Marathon than just dancing."

The event also includes inflatable obstacle courses, a disc jockey, games, free food and competitions. Participants will also be interacting with Miracle Children and their families.

"It's a very upbeat and positive environment," Southeast senior Melanie Marxkors said. "Everyone is dancing and having a good time."

Participants are asked to stand the entire time as a reminder of the physical challenges that children with terminal illnesses face growing up.

"It was incredible to see so many people coming together to make a difference," Southeast senior Nicole Conoyer said. "Every hour we added to our dance and even though we didn't dance the whole time we stood all 12 hours. It was hard but we know there are a lot of little kids that can't stand but would love it. We stayed active for the purpose of the kids."

Registration for Southeast's Dance Marathon ends at noon on March 30.