Sophie L .
FEATURED
Business Highlight :
MIZZOUTHON
MizzouThon , a chapter of the national program , Miracle Network Dance Marathon , is the largest student-run philanthropy at the University of Missouri . We work year-round to provide support , both financially and emotionally , to pediatric patients in mid-Missouri . 2 years ago , we made a fiveyear one-million-dollar pledge to renovate the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Missouri Women ’ s and Children ’ s Hospital . Our NICU donation adds to a continued five-year pledge to support the hospital ’ s TeleHealth Loving Care program , music therapy program , Cancer and Blood Disorders unit , and provide salaries for teachers who help hospitalized kids stay on top of their schoolwork .
Yet what is incredibly special about our program aside from all the dancing , and fundraising is the close relationship we have with our Miracle Families . Miracle Families are ambassadors that have gone through MU Children ’ s Hospital at one time or another and help to educate participants on why we do what we do . These miracle ambassadors have ranging diagnoses from osteogenesis imperfecta to hemimegalencephaly , yet no matter their specific obstacles they all are incredible warriors . As college students on MizzouThon , we are our miracle ’ s bedside buddies , cheerleaders , best friends , and most importantly , their advocates . At MizzouThon , we believe that every child deserves the right to be a kid ; meaning that childhood should be filled with fun and worry-free days , and less of worrisome hospital visits . We realize that this experience may not look the same for everyone , but every child deserves a chance to have a childhood defined by their aspirations as opposed to their limitations . By raising funds and awareness for our local hospital , and working closely with these miracle families , we are hoping to give kids some of their childhood back . Maybe that is first steps , or playing a musical instrument , or maybe even just an extra smile , everything we do is for them - for the kids .
Sophie L .
30 March 2017