UGA Miracle at the University of Georgia Receives 2020 Ryan White Award for Overcoming Adversity
UGA Miracle at the University of Georgia was awarded the Ryan White Award for Overcoming Adversity at Dance Marathon Leadership Conference 2020. Ryan White is a hero for his lasting legacy of overcoming adversity and using it to make a positive impact on the world. The Ryan White Award for Overcoming Adversity is presented to a program whose experience in overcoming a significant obstacle best exemplifies Ryan’s spirit and perseverance in the face of adversity.
UGA Miracle uncovered the mishandling of a substantial amount of funds while trying to reconcile donations for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta after the 2019 fundraising year. They worked closely with the Student Affairs department and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to ensure that the loss did not deter them from having a successful 2020 campaign. Utilizing this negative experience to enact positive change within their organization, they refocused their attention to strengthening the cause connection between their participants and their hospital. They did this by rebranding their Fall and Spring push days to connect their participants further with where their funds benefit (Rehabilitation Services & the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center), scheduling hospital tours with their Greek community presidents the day before their annual President’s Day Challenge, and focusing on UGA Miracle being a part of the undergraduate experience as a student at the University of Georgia. UGA Miracle went on to raise over $1.25M for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – the first fundraising increase in three years for their program.
Miracle Network Dance Marathon is an international movement, involving over 400 colleges, universities and K-12 schools across North America that fundraise for their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Since its inception in 1991, Miracle Network Dance Marathon has raised more than $300 million–ensuring that no child or family fights pediatric illness or injury alone.
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