Dance Marathon at the University of South Carolina is the largest student-run philanthropy on campus. It is an annual 24-hour event held in February that celebrates the culmination of efforts to raise financial and emotional support for the patients of Palmetto Health Children's Hospital, located here in Columbia. Palmetto Health Children's Hospital is a member of the Children's Miracle Network and is the largest freestanding children's hospital in the state, serving over 80,000 children throughout South Carolina.

Dance Marathon is not a competition and does not even require the ability to dance! While dancers are taught a fun and easy line dance throughout the course of the event, they also take part in fun-filled games and contests, as well as enjoy entertainment from musicians, comedians and performance groups. Dancers are visited by miracle families, who share their touching stories with the dancers- reminding them that what they are doing is making a difference in the lives of others. The event lasts for 24-hours, symbolizing the difficult times that a family can sometimes undergo when a patient is undergoing treatment.

In 2009, USCDM had a record-breaking year, raising over $111,000 for Palmetto Health Children's Hospital and employing over 1,100 students. Currently in its 12th year of existence, Dance Marathon at USC has raised over $700,000 to help improve the lives of over 80,000 children throughout the state.