NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Last weekend, the 14th annual Rutgers Dance Marathon took place, raising a total of $503,641.77. The funds are to be donated to the Embrace Kids Foundation, a group committed to aiding children with cancer and blood disorders.

According to their website, the Rutgers University Dance Marathon has donated over 3.1 million dollars to the Embrace Kids Foundation to date. This makes DM the largest student-run philanthropy event in New Jersey.

Dance Marathon at Rutgers first began in 1971 when three members of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity gathered support and raised $18,000 for the American Cancer Society.  The ZBT Dance Marathon took place annually until 1981.

The event started up again in 1999, and has been held every year since.

Rutgers students continue to support Dance Marathon, and dancers all over campus jump at the chance to help children in need, raising funds year-round in preparation for the 36-hour event