I want to be a part of FTKrew for this year’s Dance Marathon to contribute to this program and become more actively involved. In my first year at UF, I have already had so many eye-opening experiences as to how something that seems so small (i.e. donating $5 to a fundraising page) can make a huge impact in the long-term (i.e. allowing the program to raise $12.4 million for the kids at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital since its start). The fact that only a small percentage of government funding goes to children’s healthcare and yet the hospital at my university is still able to be nationally ranked as one of the greatest facilities of care for children and young adults with the help of DM fundraising is truly amazing. After going on a hospital …show more content…
When it comes to your health, money should be no object but unfortunately it is a huge factor in determining your plan of care. Personally this philanthropic mission is very close to my heart. As a pre-health student I want to help others live the best life they possibly can. One of my brothers was born premature at Shands, and had no physical or mental ailments after his care. His story makes me deeply connected to the work done at this hospital and more personable to those receiving care. More currently, I have a brother who experienced catastrophic brain damage last year and now needs lifelong care. This experience has made me be able to see how healthcare/therapies can improve his daily level of functioning but also the astonishing costs of care. And yet my family is able to deal with his new lifestyle everyday by focusing on his improvement and not the medical bills. I have paralleled my experiences with my miracle child and the children I meet as a Child Life volunteer at Shands. The parents of these children have the same mentality of focusing on the everyday improvement to their child’s life, thanks to someone alleviate some of the stressors that come with this