OU Dance Marathon (OUDM) led one of its biggest fundraising pushes of the year with Day of Miracles. This fall, students rallied together and raised over $65,000 in just 24 hours, directly supporting the Oklahoma Children's Health Foundation and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.
24 hours
to make miracles happen.
$3.8 million+
raised since 2020.
$65,407
raised during 2025's Day of Miracles.
30 years
of changing the lives of Oklahoma children.
Students in OUDM have just 24 hours to come together and raise as much money as possible for Oklahoma children and families. Throughout the day, members of OUDM take over the South Oval on campus and collect voluntary donations from friends, family, professors, and more. The city of Norman joins in with the efforts, with several local restaurants and shops hosting benefit days—where a percentage of purchases go directly to OUDM.
OUDM is the official philanthropy organization of Campus Activities Council (CAC) at OU. For more than 30 years, OUDM has surpassed fundraising milestones with several years reaching $1,000,000+. All donations benefit the Children's Health Foundation in Oklahoma City through the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, directly funding life-saving medical research, investing in vital new equipment, and providing entertainment, family support, and care programs for patients at the OU Children's Hospital—the only level 1 trauma center in Oklahoma.
OUDM's biggest event, a 12-hour fundraising dance marathon, will take place on March 7, 2026.
Kyla Archer is a senior at OU studying healthcare business. Because of her love for philanthropy and healthcare, Kyla combined those passions and joined OUDM. As OUDM's Executive Chair, she leads cross-functional student teams, programs large-scale events, and helps raise thousands of dollars every year for Oklahoma's Children's Health Foundation.
Kyla: We tabled on the South Oval from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., where we shared OUDM’s mission with students, played games, sold merch, and collaborated with Nothing Bundt Cakes, who joined us to sell bundt cakes with a portion of each sale benefitting OUDM. This cross-campus and community collaboration helped amplify our outreach. We also celebrated OUDM's 30th year as a student organization, making this Day of Miracles even more special!
Kyla: I would tell them joining OUDM will be one of the most meaningful decisions they ever make. You become part of something bigger than yourself, surrounded by a community that supports you, pushes you, and cares deeply about making a difference. I’ve grown tremendously since freshman year, and joining OUDM was the best choice I made.
Kyla: We always say that the money we raise helps ensure no child has to leave the state of Oklahoma to get the care they deserve. On Day of Miracles, we got to see a direct example of this when the Buckinghams spoke at our event. When Hunter Buckingham discovered he had a tumor growing under his eye, his family didn't know what to do or think. They were told he would have to travel to Houston, Texas, for six to eight weeks. To receive treatment, this would split up himself, his parents, and his two brothers. Thanks to Children's Hospital Foundation, a team was created rght here in Oklahoma. He was able to get surgery in-state and recovered in the company of his friends and family.
