Luther Dance Marathon has its biggest fundraising total ever

This year's Luther Dance Marathon has raised $71,816 for patients and families treated at University of Iowa Children's Hospital through Children's Miracle Network.

It's the fourth year for the event, which raised $37,000 in 2014, then brought in $57,103 in 2015 and $53,094 in 2016 before smashing all previous records by raising almost $19,000 more than last year's Dance Marathon.

In addition to the financial support for families with kids being treated for a childhood illness, the Dance Marathon provides emotional support for those families in their travels to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital for treatment..