Last weekend, I experienced the best 24 hours of my life. I got to be one of around 2,400 other college students as we all came together for one purpose. I could talk about UGA Miracle Dance Marathon all day long, and talk about how rewarding it was and how humbling it was, but I am going to put in perspective for you.
We were there for the kids. We were there to raise one million dollars for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. And you know what? We did just that. But the marathon was about more than one milli. It was more than a seven digit number. One million dollars is a huge figure. It represents all of the time and commitment that goes into the hospital from the doctors, patients, and their families. That number represents how college students can come together for one cause and make a difference. It represents how love and our passion for these kids. It represents the amount of love we have for those patients and their families. We danced, laughed, cried, ate, and rejoiced for 24 hours over the miracles that Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has brought about each and every day since they opened their doors over 101 years ago.
UGA Miracle, HOPE at UNG, as well as various high schools and vendors all came together. Together One Nation was the theme this year, and we did that: we came together as a whole, supporting a single worthy cause. At the end of the 24 hours, we went out to Sanford Stadium and saw on the JumboTron what our efforts have been all year, and it was revealed that we raised $1,068,358.16. Together, one nation. Together, one hospital.
Over 24 hours, we heard miracle stories from the parents and their families. We heard how they triumphed over their disease, illness, or injury and we saw how it was now their mission to spread the word about CHOA, and they truly appreciated everything we did. We saw how they became cured or came into remission. And we got to play Candyland and dance and go in a bouncy house with those very same patients.
But, we also heard “in honor of” stories from parents who lost their child. We heard the heart-wrenching stories of how CHOA never gave up on them, but eventually, these children gained their angel wings and went home. But that has motivated their parents even more to make a difference. They helped us raise that $1 million, and they helped us keep going after we were falling over from exhaustion. Those parents showed us the real reason we were there. That we are more than just that number.
Yes, we made our goal and, yes, we did an amazing thing. But we are more than that number. We can rejoice in that number and bask in that number. We can be proud of that number and we can feel proud about that number. But we cannot get stuck on that number. We cannot forget that CHOA deserves more than that number. We cannot forget that those kids constantly need our attention and love and we cannot stop at $1 million.
Our work isn't done yet. We have to keep going. We have to remember those patients and why we did what we did. We have to keep going and keep raising awareness. We have to stay together and remember. We are enough, but that number is not.
