Skip to main content

Dayton Engineer

UD Miracle: Engaging Our Community. Dancing for the Kids.

By Karen Updyke

The University of Dayton is one of over 300 colleges across the nation (and Canada!) that hosts an annual Miracle Network Dance Marathon for their local children’s hospital — UD Miracle Flyerthon

Dayton Children’s Hospital treats 299,000 children annually — children who live in our University’s backyard. 2017 marks the opening of an eight-story, state-of-the-art patient tower at Dayton Children's. With improved medical equipment and technology, factors that Flyerthon funds have continued to support, children in the Dayton region have access to treatment that is close to home.

After visiting children’s hospitals across the nation, John Lauck, the President and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, revealed research at a recent symposium that children's hospitals need a 400 percent increase in funds to adequately care for our ill children. 

According to Michael Jacob, mechanical engineering senior and UD Miracle Campus Relations Chair, "We love sharing what we do and every little bit of awareness goes a long way. The mission of UD Miracle is to bring the campus and community together while raising funds and awareness for our local Children's Miracle Network Hospital: Dayton Children's. UD Miracle money supports children treated at Dayton Children’s that need financial assistance," said Jacob. "Dayton Children’s will never deny a child the care they need, and UD Miracle is proud to be part of the reason that their promise is a reality."

UD Miracle's biggest fundraiser of the year will happen Saturday, February 18, the Flyerthon, a 13.1 hour-long, dance marathon filled with music, entertainment, appearances by Miracle kids and their families, and much more. Participants work to fundraise for Dayton Children’s before and during Flyerthon. Other UD Miracle events held throughout the year include:

  • Bill’s Not-So-Fit 5k: Participants receive a Bill’s donut for every mile they walk or run. In 2016, the race had nearly 200 participants!
  • Hot Dog Hotline: UD Miracle members man a hotline twice a year and deliver hotdogs anywhere on campus from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. "You wouldn’t believe how many people want hot dogs that late," said Jacob.
  • Faculty and Staff Luncheon: An event to share their UD Miracle goals and passions across campus for increased awareness and involvement!

Jacob is extremely excited about this year's Flyerthon: "We’re on track to crush last years total funds raised!" Go UD Miracle and Flyerthon!

Click here for more information, to register, start a team, join a team or donate to the UD Miracle Flyerthon!

Previous Post

E.A.T. Food for Life

Like many farmers, Dan Kremer wakes long before the sun rises. But before heading outside to tend to his 140-acre farm in Yorkshire, Ohio, he takes advantage of that first hour to quietly reflect.
Read More
Next Post

Changing the Face of Engineering

The Stanford University Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school) named four University of Dayton students to a global program that empowers student leaders to increase campus engagement through innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity.
Read More