Celebrating our 2026 Legacy Award Winner: Sydney Deno

Riley Children’s Foundation is proud to announce Sydney Deno as the 2026 Legacy Award Winner for Riley Dance Marathon.

Sydney was instrumental in shaping the future of Purdue University Dance Marathon, creating the program’s first-ever Stewardship Committee and serving as the Stewardship Executive in 2025. She began her PUDM journey as a High School Relations Committee member in 2021 before holding roles as Accounting Chair, Internal Stewardship Chair, and Internal Stewardship Executive during her time at Purdue University.

“The Stewardship Committee continues to serve as a place where all are welcome and as an avenue to celebrate and appreciate members throughout our entire organization,” said Sydney. “I am excited to watch my committee continue to grow and have a positive impact on PUDM in the years to come.”

One of Sydney’s proudest accomplishments was leading PUDM’s first “Riley Day,” an opportunity for Purdue students, particularly aspiring healthcare professionals, to hear from caregivers across Riley. Leading up to the event, informational booths highlighted how the Dance Marathon program helps transform pediatric care and support Riley families.

“I aimed to use my passion for Dance Marathon to ignite others,” said Sydney. “I worked hard to give these students another avenue to form a ‘why’ and reason for fighting to raise funds.”

Sydney is pursuing a career in pediatric pharmacy. She shares that she’s looking forward to seeing where her involvement with children’s healthcare takes her, whether that’s as a PUDM alumni executive board member, a Riley pharmacist or another way to connect with Riley Children’s Foundation.

“My involvement with Riley Dance Marathon has truly deepened my love for giving back to others while also continuing to ignite my passion for pediatric healthcare,” said Sydney. “I gained skills that will help me work with interdisciplinary teams in my future career, advocacy skills, empathy for others and leadership skills.”

On behalf of all of us at Riley Children’s Foundation, congratulations, Sydney! We are grateful for your dedication and leadership to support Riley kids and families.

This annual award recognizes one graduating college senior who has made significant contributions that will continue to elevate their school’s Riley Dance Marathon program years beyond their active involvement. The recipient practices altruism, demonstrates an ability to unify and mobilize those around them, and is inimitable to their respective program. Tyler Trent of Purdue University Dance Marathon was honored posthumously as the inaugural recipient in 2019.

10 colleges fundraised for Riley Dance Marathon during the 2025-26 school year. Indiana University Dance Marathon began in 1991. PUDM has raised more than $13 million for Riley.