UA Miracle Raises $233,200 for Children’s of Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama student-led organization UA Miracle raised $233,200 over the past year for Children’s of Alabama.

The amount was revealed during the BAMAthon event Feb. 17 at the UA Student Center, the organization’s annual 12-hour dance marathon. 

“We are so excited to end our 13th year with BAMAthon where we celebrate our hard work,” said Rachel Frick, UA Miracle president. “Throughout our time on campus, we’ve had more than 10,000 students participate, hosted 80 families of current or former Children’s of Alabama patients on UA’s campus and raised more than $2.5 million dollars. All proceeds go to Children’s and the amazing programs they have for families in their care.”

Current and former patients of Children’s of Alabama shared their stories of pediatric illness with student participants.

“UA Miracle is so much more than just raising money,” Frick said. “It teaches students on campus to care about their local community and shows that UA students can make a difference. This past year alone, there have been more than 14,000 children from Tuscaloosa County treated at Children’s, so even though it’s in Birmingham, it has a huge effect on the local community. 

“The idea of this organization being bigger than oneself and raising money is something that I hope every participant at BAMAthon got out of this year. Hearing miracle families tell their stories, in addition to hearing the impact this organization has had on UA students, is one of the highlights of the event.”

BAMAthon is the culmination of a year’s worth of programming by UA’s largest student group and on-campus philanthropy. The organization hosts fundraising events at Tuscaloosa-area restaurants and theme days on the UA campus throughout the year.