This semester I got to participate in the Buckeyethon Dance Marathon! This was my favorite service event that I have ever gotten to be apart of. The Buckeyethon Dance Marathon took place on Saturday, February 9th, and I participated for 12 hours.
Buckeyethon is the largest student run philanthropy in the state of Ohio and its mission is to raise funds for the Hematology, Oncology, and BMT Unit at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, with the ultimate goal of ending childhood cancer. The famous Buckeyethon saying is “Every Kid Deserves to Be a Buckeye” and I believe in this statement whole-heartedly. No kid should have to go through the pain and hardship that childhood cancer places upon them, and all kids deserve the chance to grow up and have endless opportunities, like Ohio State gives its’ students. Buckeyethon truly fosters the spirit of change and brings thousands of people together to create change in others’ lives.
I was introduced to Buckeyethon through my scholars program The Dunn Sport and Wellness Scholars. Past participants within my program emphasized how amazing Buckeyethon is and how life-changing it is to participate in the Dance Marathon and be a “Miracle Maker”.
The Buckeyethon Dance Marathon is just one of the many events the Buckeyethon philanthropy hosts each year. The Dance Marathon is a day of celebration for the fundraising OSU has done. It is also a day of celebration for the fighters, a day of remembrance for those we’ve lost, and a day to foster the spirit of hope that one day pediatric cancer will have a cure. This event consists of 12 hours of non-stop standing to allow participants to feel just an inkling of the fatigue and pain that cancer patients go through every single day. Throughout the day, a vast amount of events take place, and you get to hang out with Buckeyethon kids, who are cancer survivors or are still fighting the disease. The goal throughout the day is to continue to fundraise money. I managed to raise over $200 in just 12 hours at the Buckeyethon Dance Marathon, and I raised almost $500 total. To know that I helped this cause and that my efforts will have an impact is so rewarding. During the Buckeyethon Dance Marathon this year, OSU raised a record setting 1.7 Million Dollars to aid in the fight against childhood cancer. To be apart something of this magnitude, something that has the power to create change, was surreal.
As a result of this service, I have learned a lot about myself. This experience reminded me just how much I enjoy doing service and giving back. While talking with the parents of the kids with cancer, or even the Buckeyethon kids, and watching them thank us with tears in their eyes, I realized there’s really no greater gift in the world than that. It is nice to receive gifts and it makes you feel good , but to give to others offers a whole new level of happiness. To know that I am apart of a philanthropy that is going to change people’s lives’ and aid in finding a cure to cancer, theres simply not enough words to describe the immense joy it brings to my heart. Through Buckeyethon, I am apart of something greater than myself, and I am creating a better world for future generations. This provides me with all I need to know that I want to and will continue to give back in the future.
This service has also taught me a lot about strength. Sometimes I find myself in my life complaining about things that may seem big to me but to others they may seem so miniscule. These kids are going through terrible diseases, yet they still find the strength within to fight EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. I know by watching them exhibit strength and grace in every aspect of their life, that I am stronger than I think and that if they can get through these massive mountains in their path of life, then I can get through these smaller hills in my own.
Finally, this service experience has shown me how much I am capable of. I had a goal in mind to raise 100$ during the Buckeyethon Dance Marathon, however I managed to make a few extra calls and raise double that. To know in one day I was able to make this impact and to be apart of a philanthropy that raised near 2 million dollars is incredible. I know now, after Buckeyethon, that I, and the thousands of people that surround me everyday, have the power to create real change within our world. It all starts with a simple action that sparks a chain reaction! If I put my mind to it, I can do a lot more than I think.
As a leader, service-learning has allowed me expansive amounts of growth. Through volunteering, I am able to participant in a wide variety of events and work with a wide variety of people. A leader must be multi-faceted and also able to work and guide a variety of people, and service exposes me to this. Also, service has allowed me to push my boundaries and do things that otherwise may be uncomfortable, because in the end they make an impact. A leader is not afraid to step outside of their comfort zone, and I have practiced this in many occasions through service. Finally, volunteering has allowed me to find my passions and be a good example for others. A leader is confident in their self and their passions, as well as leads by example for others.
Because of service learning, I am passionate about giving back to others.
https://buckeyethon.osu.edu