GC Miracle & Dance Marathon
Bobcat Families Special Edition
What is GC Miracle?
Dance Marathon is the signature event of GC Miracle, the culmination and final push of the organization's fundraising efforts for the year. The 24-hour event celebrates local Miracle kids and their families with music, games, and lots of dancing! At the end of the event, GC Miracle will reveal its final fundraising total.
FTK means "For the Kids". Everything GC Miracle does throughout the year is for the kids, including visiting the hospital, getting to know the families, and embarking on a monumental fundraising goal. GC Miracle participants gain leadership skills, nonprofit and development experience, and strong community networking, and they do it all for a cause that's bigger than themselves.
Parents and Families, You're Invited!
Dance Marathon kicks off at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 4 in the Centennial Center. The event lasts 24 hours, so stay as long as you'd like! The Office of Parent and Family Programs will be there with a Parent Hospitality Zone where you can meet other families, grab some swag, and see what amazing work our students do FTK.
Meet Some of the Miracle Makers
Mary Katherine Mason
I joined GC Miracle my first week on campus as a freshman, just as something to get involved with. A few days later, my 14-year-old step brother was diagnosed with cancer. He lost his battle a year later, and having this organization to fight for kids like him with other college students has been the best and coolest part of college. This organization is full of college kids that just want to do something bigger than themselves, and I think that’s awesome. It’s my favorite part of college!
Julia Simpkins
I joined GC Miracle as a freshman as just a participant to get involved with something greater than myself. From the moment I experienced my first Dance Marathon, I knew I wanted to let this organization engulf me. I have gotten to serve in 2 positions and now I have the honor of being the Executive Director. Miracle has given me my best friends, countless opportunities of leadership, the opportunity to smile with kids who could choose not to smile, a sense of who I want to be, and my home away from home.
Jack McGarty
I joined Miracle my freshman year here at GCSU, as I saw it as an amazing opportunity to get involved with my new community. I immediately met a great group of selfless people that inspired me help those around me. I have had the amazing opportunity of working closer to the organization every year. Now in my senior year I can reflect the countless lessons and memories that have shaped me in to the person that I am today. Miracle has allowed me to earn great leadership experience, friends, and the opportunity to make days better for the kids who need it most.
Miracle Kid: Kyler Pike
In October 2017, Kyler starting having low-grade fevers in the evenings when he came home from daycare. A few weeks later, he began having leg pains during the night that worsened over a few days' time. One particular night, his leg pains were so severe he screamed all night long and refused to walk the next day.
This prompted his parents to take him to his pediatrician. After running labs and monitoring his fever, he was referred to a specialist for possible juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and subsequently to an oncologist. Kyler was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on November 21, 2017 and began treatment the day after Thanksgiving.
Treatment for A.L.L. lasts approximately 3 1/2 years and consists of chemotherapy --through a port, orally, and in the spine -- as well as steroids, blood transfusions, hospitalizations, and more. Kyler goes to physical and speech therapy, too.
On Kyler's good days, he enjoys sports, playing outside in the dirt with construction vehicles, building Lego, searching for bugs, pretending to be super heroes, and playing with his monster trucks!
GC Miracle works to give kids like Kyler more good days.
Contact
Email: gcmiraclemakers@gmail.com
Website: https://events.dancemarathon.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=3548
Phone: (478) 445-8566
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GCMiracle/