News
Randolph-Macon College Students Go "Footloose" for Kids
March 2008
On March 15th the students of Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia held their 7th Annual Dance Marathon. The students engaged family, friends, staff, alumnae and community members to raise more than $17,000 for Children’s Miracle Network-Richmond.
More than 300 college students and 15 area families served by local Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, joined in the fun of dancing for 12 hours. Each hour featured a different music era theme to include 50’s, 80’s, disco, Disney and country. Dancers learned a “Morale Dance” and listened to inspirational “miracle” stories throughout the day. The Country Style Dancers of Virginia and the Cosby High School Step Team were invited to perform for the students and lead the dancers through some new steps.
Special guest, Matthew McMillen, joined the students during the “Michael Jackson” dance hour. Each year Matthew and family return to celebrate his life and educate students, faculty and community members on how fortunate we are to have state-of-the-art Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in our backyard. Mom, Jennifer and uncle Andrew (R-MC alum), spoke of their family’s medical journey over the last seven years. Emotions filled the Brock Center as students learned of Matthew’s intense but successful entry into the world. He was born with a heart condition, TAPVR or Obstructed Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return, meaning there was no passageway from the left lung to the left atrium of the heart. Within the first nine hours of his life, Matthew underwent seven hours of surgery to repair his heart at VCU Children’s Medical Center. Today, he is a very bright and happy seven year old boy who happens to be an avid NASCAR fan! Matthew currently receives therapy from Children’s Hospital for cerebral palsy and autism; diagnosed with both over the last 5 years. “Matthew is an inspiration to all of the Randolph-Macon students that work diligently to make Dance Marathon a success every year...Matthew still manages to teach and inspire us,” said Kate Savage, R-MC junior.
Over the last six years, these dedicated students have raised over $125,000 for the children of central Virginia. Children’s Miracle Network-Richmond is fortunate to have this growing network at R-MC who cares so deeply, and has the desire to make a difference.