500+ Registered for First Cedar Falls Dance Marathon

With less than 24 hours to go until the first Dance Marathon, the number of participants keeps growing.

If you haven't heard about it, Dance Marathon is a student-run fundraiser for pediatric cancer research and care.

"It is going great. We actually are 25 hours away," said Chelsea Hartman, a senior at UNI and director of public relations for Dance Marathon. "We’re really excited."

The main event begins Saturday at noon in the Maucker Union on UNI campus. Families of 16 to 20 pediatric cancer patients will attend the event, as well as numerous student dancers, games and themed rooms.

The families will have their own room. Also, they will be out and about during activities, and there will be families speaking on stage each hour.

Hartman said more than 550 participants have registered and the number keeps growing.

"We have definitely surpassed our goals of attendance," she said.

Also, on Saturday, there is a Mini Dance Marathon at . That is also at noon. The school will help raise money and also host a dance.