Area fourth, fifth, and sixth graders held a mini dance marathon to raise funds to fight childhood cancer. Iowa State Extension’s Region 15 held a 4-H Junior Camp for Iowa, Johnson, Keokuk and Washington Counties youth. Together 64 youth participants and 17 high school counselors hosted a mini-dance marathon to help families with children going through cancer treatments as many of them know someone with cancer.

Area 4-H staff connected with high school 4-H member Makenzie Sieren who was selected as a camp counselor and had battled cancer herself three years ago. She spearheaded the effort. Campers collected donations leading up to the junior camp and hosted their own mini-dance marathon on June 12th. The following day they learned that a Washington County 4-h family benefited from the services of the University of Iowa Dance Marathon. Jenna Waters, a Washington County 4-H member, beat cancer. Her brother, Bryce, was a camp counselor.

Campers also made cards to deliver to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. The Region 15 4-H Junior Camp presented a check for $928.32 to Dance Marathon Representatives. In 26 years of existence the U of I Dance Marathon has raised $27,508,627.59 serving 990 families.