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Just because something is worthwhile does not mean it cannot also be a ton of fun. That’s the case with UMass Miracles (formerly UMass Dance Marathon), a registered student organization known on campus for dancing their way to positive change by raising money for Baystate Children’s Hospital. The club's goal is “for everyone to be up and dancing the whole time in support of the kids who can’t be dancing.”

Cameron, the current president of UMass Miracles and a member of the class of 2025, was eager to join the organization after seeing the scale of dance marathons at other universities. As a lifelong dancer, she quickly began helping with the dance marathon and other fundraising events for the hospital. Along with the service, it was a fun and welcoming experience because many of her sisters in the Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority were also involved in making the marathon a success. Cameron “met sisters who had higher-up positions and formed a connection with them. Seeing what they do made me want to do it even more.”

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As Cameron became more involved in UMass Miracles, she saw the impact that came from the 12-hour dance marathon. “Two years ago, we raised money for their therapy dog program so the kids that are going through treatments can have extra support,” Cameron recounted. Additionally, “last year we helped renovate their NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) and helped them get new supplies and the more modern situation that they needed.” It has not yet been announced what they will be raising money for this spring, but it is safe to say it will be a great benefit to the kids at Baystate.

One of the biggest highlights for members of UMass Miracles is getting to interact with Baystate Children Hospital’s staff, families, and, of course, their patients. In fact, the patients of Baystate who attend the Dance Marathon get the special title of Miracle Children. From there, each team is assigned a Miracle Child to bond with and give personalized gifts. With this comes once-in-a-lifetime friendships, as teams do everything they can to make up for all the days of the Miracle Child’s childhood derailed by illness. Cameron fondly remembers her favorite part of her entire UMass Miracles experience, the time spent with a Miracle Child named Evie: “Having my own personal time with her at the event. Just playing and dancing.”