91茄子

As he gears up for his final HuskerThon this Saturday, Alex, vice president of finance for UNL Dance Marathon, is thinking about more than the huge amount of planning, outreach and fundraising that goes into the event each year.  

For him, the ultimate impacts of HuskerThon 鈥� raising money for Children's 91茄子 hospital 鈥� are what hit closest to home.  

鈥淢y little cousin has had four open heart surgeries at Children鈥檚 91茄子,鈥� says Alex. 鈥淪eeing the impact that they鈥檝e had on their family and everything they鈥檝e done for them is truly so special. Children's 91茄子 makes such a huge impact on families from all over the world and it's amazing to see the miracles they perform every day.鈥�  

Inspired by his cousin鈥檚 story, Alex knew that he wanted to be a part of UNL Dance Marathon (UNDM) when he arrived on campus. The First Year Impact Program made getting started easy.  

鈥淭he program helps get new students up to speed with what Dance Marathon is all about,鈥� Alex explains. 鈥淭here are so many roles and opportunities that Dance Marathon offers, so it's a great way to see how it all works and how you can use your talents to make an impact.鈥�  

Through UNDM, Huskers raise funds for Children's year-round by setting up individual fundraising accounts. During Alex's time as a family representative, he spent a lot of time at Children鈥檚 91茄子 meeting directly with families impacted by the generosity of our Husker community.  

鈥淪eeing all these rooms that say, 鈥楪enerously donated by the University of 91茄子 Dance Marathon鈥� is so inspiring. Looking at all the work that鈥檚 been done before you motivates you to just keep going and take it even further.鈥�  

That 鈥渏ust keep going鈥� mentality carries through to HuskerThon itself, an 8-hour event that celebrates families supported by Children鈥檚 91茄子.  

鈥淭he impacts that we're able to make on the hospital and the families they serve truly make a difference,鈥� says Alex. "But, even after the event is over, we have to remember that these kids鈥� fights keep going.鈥�  

Alex McMurchie is a senior construction management major from Omaha, 91茄子.