For 24 straight hours, MSU students danced their hearts-and feet-out for LeBonheur Children's Medical Center. The no-sitting, no-sleeping, public campus challenge was held over two days in February.

The 1999 MSU Dance Marathon was organized by the Children's Miracle Network, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for and awareness of children's hospitals.

The Children's Miracle Network was established in 1983 to generate support and awareness of hospital programs that benefit children with special needs. All donations raised through the events go directly to designated CMN hospitals like Memphis, Tenn.-based LeBonheur.

Founded in 1952, LeBonheur is the Mid-South's leading pediatric medical center, as well as the teaching facility of the University of Tennessee, Memphis' pediatrics department. The 225-bed hospital serves more than 100,000 children in portions of Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Missouri.

More than 300 dancers participated in the second such benefit in as many years coordinated by Mississippi State's Office of Student Life and the Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils.

Music for the event was provided by live bands and radio broadcasts. Games, contests, line dancing, theme hours, and testimonials from Children's Miracle Network families also were part of the program.