What is Jagathon? 

Jagathon is IUPUI’s children’s miracle network dance marathon. We are dedicated to raising money for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN. We do this by asking for donations, volunteering, and planning/hosting events. Our year-round commitment ends with our THREE DAY dance marathon in the spring, on April 23-25th, 2021. At Jagathon, we stand on our feet the entire time to honor the kids who fight for their health every day. It is a celebration of the kids, their families, and our fundraising efforts.

My Senior Year Role!

I am so honored and excited to be serving as the 2021 DIRECTOR OF MORALE!!!! Morale is in charge of keeping everyone excited to fundraise FTK and keeping the energy HYPE within the organization. We spend the year creating a ten minute song and line dance that we teach to the participants in-event. Besides teaching the dance, on the day of Jagathon we also serve as color team leaders for Jagathon participants. Other responsibilities of Morale include creating an alumni and high school song/dance, helping with color wars, and hosting the Jagathon Pageant and Pie in the Face. 

Morale really does hold a special place in my heart, and I am so ready to spend my last year in Jagathon (tears) directing this committee. Way back as a freshman at IUPUI, I attended Jagathon just to have something to do on the weekend. I never knew how much of an impact that the event, organization, and cause would have on my collegiate experience. At Jagathon that year, the Morale captains stayed excited the entire 15 hours of the event, and were so welcoming. They inspired me to fundraise and kept me standing on my feet for my first 15-hour dance marathon. My favorite part of the event that year was learning the dance, and I knew that I wanted to be a part of Morale the next year. I never expected to eventually be the director four years later, and I am so ready to MAKE SOME MIRACLES with this amazing committee!

Throughout the Years!

This will be my last year participating in Jagathon, as I will be graduating in May of 2021 and moving on to have a big girl job as a nurse!! I spent my first year at Jagathon as a participant, and was inspired to become more involved by the cause and the people. I joined the morale committee my sophomore year. Junior year, I served as the events chair for Morale and transitioned into the Director of Entertainment in the spring. I am so blessed to be the Director of Morale for my fourth and final year of Jagathon. I am beyond grateful for the leadership, experiences, challenges, inspiration and friendship this organization has brought to me. 

Why I Dance:)

At five years old, I was diagnosed with a blood disorder known as Chronic ITP. This meant that my immune system destroyed my body's platelets, meaning my blood would not clot fast enough. Many kids grow out of it, but I never did. This greatly impacted my childhood, as I had to be very cautious playing sports and even riding my bike. It was stressful even just knowing that I wasn't completely healthy, and I didn't like being covered in bruises. I had frequent visits to my local Children's Miracle Network Hospital similar to Riley Hospital for Children, and even had some inpatient stays. I also participated in a research study to help doctors figure out why patients develop ITP. Without the amazing fundraising efforts of organizations like Jagathon, I would not have received the opportunity to experience the amazing medical care I received as a child. I am inspired every day to make a difference in healthcare because of my experiences as a pediatric patient. These experiences also inspired me to become a pediatric nurse!

As a future nurse, I care deeply about the well-being of others; and as a child who spent a lot of time in the hospital, I know how scary and overwhelming the healthcare experience can be.  No child deserves to spend their whole childhood in the hospital and wonder what it’s like to be healthy. I have met so many inspiring kids and their families impacted by Riley Hospital for Children. I dance to give kids the opportunity to live a happy and healthy childhood. I dance so families never have to say goodbye to their kids. I dance so kids can be cured, and so research can be done to make this happen. I dance FOR THE KIDS!!!

Looking Ahead

It is crazy to think that within a few months, I will be a real nurse. I have recently accepted a position as a women's oncology nurse in downtown Chicago. I am so excited and blessed to be starting a dream job right out of college. I truly believe that I will be able to make an impact on so many lives in this future role. I also believe that I would be nowhere near reaching my goals without Jagathon. This organization means the world to me, and has provided me with such unforgettable and meaningful experiences. 

How You Can Help!

Consider making a donation to my page, the kids and I would greatly appreciate it! You can also support me by sharing this with your friends/family. My goal for the year is to raise $3,000 for pediatric cancer research, and YOU can help me achieve this goal. Become a part of this organization and help us make miracles happen FOR THE KIDS, thank you!!

Thank you Jagathon, for helping me realize my potential and inspiring me to change kids health. 

FTK Always,

Kelly Joy 

Check out these videos below!!!

Jagathon Vlog Hosted by Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBKM5thLEDs

Jagathon 2019 Final Morale Dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1ksQk7sjlc

Jagathon 2020 Final Morale Dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXbT2SCNn0w

Jagathon 2020 Recap Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ml0BiK3ndc

Your donation is tax-deductible and will make miracles happen for families who desperately need them. You can click the "Donate" button at the top of this page to make a safe and easy online donation.  

Thank you for supporting me! Together, we save kids' lives.