By Paige Trendell
The University of Maryland’s Terp Thon celebrated a year of fundraising and advocacy for Children’s National Hospital during its 17th annual dance marathon Saturday in the Adele H. Stamp Student Union’s Colony Ballroom.
The organization raised $280,706.35 over the past year, with proceeds going to Children’s National Hospital, according to Terp Thon’s website. These funds help families afford costs not covered by insurance, such as art therapy or wheelchairs.
Organizations like Terp Thon across the United States and Canada are part of the Miracle Network Dance Marathon, which supports Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, according to Nick Bentley, a senior early childhood education and special education major.
“This is the culminating event of all of our fundraising efforts throughout the year,” Bentley said.
Bentley has been involved with the organization since his freshman year and now serves as the executive director.
The dance marathon lasted from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and included activities such as a silent disco and a breadstick-eating contest.
Terp Thon participants dance together in a conga line at the dance marathon on Feb. 28. Photo by Paige Trendell. 
Participants dance together at the Terp Thon on Feb. 28. Photo by Paige Trendell. 
The UMD comfort dog, Teddy the Terp, made an appearance at Terp Thon on Feb. 28. Photo by Paige Trendell. 
Attendees cut off their hospital bands at the end of the event. This represents the feeling Children’s National Hospital patients have when they leave the hospital. Photo by Paige Trendell.
Some members of the Maryland football team stopped by to show their support. They played a Disney trivia with the “Miracle Kids,” who are current or former patients of Children’s National Hospital. Many Miracle Kids have participated in Terp Thon for multiple years.
One of the Miracle Kids celebrated her last Terp Thon this year, as she will turn 18 next year and age out of the program. She and her family started attending Terp Thon in 2011 and have been involved since.
The event also included a crowning ceremony to celebrate the transition from the 2025 to 2026 Miracle Network Champion, who serves as an ambassador and advocates for their local hospital.
The 2025 champion said the experience “is a blast,” and involves many interviews, photos, and meeting new people.
According to Bentley, a lot of planning goes into the event. He said they start over the summer, but most of the planning occurs during the fall semester.
This year was Family Relations Committee Member Reese Collins’ first Terp Thon.
Any events that we hold, I’m with the kids, and I’m with the families. I’m making sure they’re having a fun time, staying safe and just having a blast here. – Collins, a junior public health science major and volunteer.
The organization hosts other events and fundraisers throughout the year, like the Days of Miracles, a 48-hour fundraiser in the fall semester. Days of Miracles’s goal is “to raise $62,000 in 48 hours to fight for the 62 children who enter Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals every minute,” according to the website.
Along with fundraising events, individuals and groups fundraise throughout the semester. One of the top fundraisers, Tau Epsilon Phi, raised $50,050 and presented a large check to Children’s National Hospital at the event.
Participating in Terp Thon has been a great experience for Bentley.
“You can see the passion. You can see the inspiration through everyone who’s come in this room today, and that’s why I keep coming back. – Bentley
Featured Image: Members of Terp Thon reveal the fundraising amount at the dance marathon on Feb. 28, 2026, at the Stamp Colony Ballroom. The funds go directly to Children’s National Hospital. Photo by Paige Trendell