Zagathon is slated for Spring, 2024. Check back for updates soon!
Our Story
Miracle Network Dance Marathon is a movement benefiting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a non-profit organization that raises funds and awareness for more than 170 pediatric hospitals across North America. Each organization is entirely student-run and 100% of all funds raised go directly to the school’s local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Last year alone, Miracle Network Dance Marathons raised more than $26 million. Students involved in a campus’ dance marathon organization spend a year gaining leadership, teamwork, and nonprofit business experience while raising funds and awareness for their local CMN hospital.
Formerly Gonzaga University Dance Marathon, re-branded Zagathon was founded in 2013 by student, Shelby Wells. She had hopes of making a small difference for the kids at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, raising $6,000 for the hospital in the first year. Since its humble beginnings, Zagathon has raised more than $375,000.
Our work relies entirely on the help of our Zags and incredible Spokane community. The Zagathon program continues to grow and defy expectations every year, due to the continued support of our amazing school, community, donors, and sponsors. We couldn't do it without you!
Our Cause
100% of the funds raised at Zagathon go to benefit Sacred Heart Children's Hospital in Spokane, WA. Our Zagathon community believes that every child deserves a fighting chance, and we aim to provide as much hope and support for them as possible. The children and families receiving treatment at the hospital have to face the unimaginable every day, but they are fighters.
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals go above and beyond to ensure the wellbeing of these children. Every day, they provide treatment, security, and hope for these children, no matter their circumstances. Meet some of these Miracle Kids through the eyes of Sacred Heart.
Children's Miracle Network - Through Our Lens
Our Impact
Our team has had many chances to visit Sacred Heart to see these miracle-making techniques in person. The friendly staff, upbeat decorations, and top-of-the-line facilities make the hospital feel more like a home. If a family ever has to go through the heartbreak of losing a child, the Sacred Heart staff goes the extra mile to make sure a child's memory is never forgotten. Beads of courage, picture-making, and even stuffed bears programmed with a child's heartbeat are some of the mementos that grieving families hold dear.
Zagathon has raised over $375K for Sacred Heart to date. Some of our Zagathon funds have been directed toward improving and maintaining the hospital, memory-making, and treatment technology. To know that we have had an impact on a suffering child or family's life, is priceless. Your donations to Zagathon helped fund vital life-saving technology such as vein finders, NICU machines, a neonatal x-ray, and a 3D heart for a child patient. It also helped improve hospital safety and decorations for Sacred Heart patients. Your donations are being put to use in incredible ways and are instrumental in carrying out the hospital's lifesaving work.