Dance Marathon - the capstone event for University of Michigan students and others who work to raise money and awareness all year for pediatric therapy programs - will commence Saturday at U-M's Indoor Track Building.

Last year, U-M Dance Marathon raised $388,000 for its causes at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor and Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. Since it began 13 years ago, the marathon has raised $2 million, student organizers said.

University of Michigan students Avanthi Jayasuriya, left, and Marisa Rademacher find some energy to dance during the 30th and final hour of the university's dance marathon at the Indoor Track and Field Building on campus in March 2009. The annual event raises funds for pediatric rehabilitation.

AnnArbor.com | File photo

Hundreds of U-M students have pledged to raise $300 each and stay on their feet for 30 hours over the weekend. Student organizers worked to gain corporate sponsorships, partnerships with local businesses and individual donations from U-M alumni and others. 

High school and middle school students across the state raised money in their communities, too, said Jessica Brierly-Snowden, community outreach chair for the entirely student-run effort. About 54 teams of 10 to 20 U-M students are participating, but the event is open to the community.

The free event will feature surprise performances by community and campus groups, visits from prominent speakers, games and activities for all ages, Brierly-Snowden said. She said the students hope to make a statement.

"For us it's about, how many kids we can help and how many we can reach out to," Brierly Snowden said.

The event begins 10 a.m. Saturday ends 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Juliana Keeping covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter