MORE THAN MEDICINE

This Statement our motto is , “More Than Medicine,” highlighting the impact of the resources CMN funds beyond medicine including Child Life Specialists, Arts and Medicine, and Bereavement Programs and much more. The impact of these programs is just as crucial as the medical care received. These programs bring joy, comfort, and a sense of normalcy to children and families during some of the most difficult times in their lives. Child Life Specialists help kids understand and cope with medical procedures through play and education, reducing fear and anxiety. Arts and Medicine programs allow patients to express themselves creatively, offering emotional healing and a positive outlet during treatment. Bereavement Programs provide compassionate support to families navigating loss, ensuring they never feel alone in their journey. Through all of these programs, they show that our purpose is for More Than Medicine.

Learn More By Watching Our Statement Podcast!

What is Statement?

Florida Statement is a tradition at Dance Marathon at Florida State University that focuses on bringing awareness to our cause and making our statement here on campus. Our beneficiaries are at the forefront of our campus and our community. Our event takes place in November and spans 26.2 hours, symbolizing the length of a marathon. Every year, Florida Statement has a theme that we highlight and honor throughout the event. Statement is full of activities and programming, along with special appearances from our miracle families.

Florida Statement is a 26.2 hours fundraising push in which Dance Marathon at FSU invites the FSU campus and local community to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network and the FSU College of Medicine Pediatric Outreach Program. Established in 2016, Statement is the biggest event of the fall and makes a huge impact on our year-long fundraising and awareness initiatives.

Check Out Our Year 30 Statement Recap!

Miracle Ambassador Highlights

MARSHAL FISHER

After a childhood full of abandonment, trauma, and 15 different foster home placements, Marshal Fisher met his soon-to-be mom, Betsy. In September of 2013, they became a family and adopted one another. Less than a year after Marshal’s adoption, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, bone cancer. Marshal underwent rounds of chemo and an amputation of his leg. He loved to draw, build legos, and play video games. He also loved Dance Marathon – the community, hope, and joy of the organization. Marshal told everyone to “HTG - Hit That Gong” at his last marathon in 2018. He died in May of 2018 with his mom by his side. Since then, students at DM FSU have been hitting that gong for Marshal and for all our miracle families.

RILEY MCFADDEN

In 2023 Riley was diagnosed with Stage 2B Bulky Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which is a rare, aggressive type of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system and limits the body’s ability to fight infections. She went from a perfectly healthy, 17 year old one day to having cancer the next. It became the very reason why she started participating in Dance Marathon in high school. She represented every kid who has to walk through those doors to undergo treatment for a pediatric illness. What is fundraised, has an impact on the future of a child’s healthcare that they may never would have received, and that is so beyond special. Without those funds that we as a community raise, she may never would’ve been placed in the clinical trial she was in. Riley now has been on both sides of Dance Marathon! She is now a thriving 20 year old who is over one year cancer free!

Our Focuses

CHILD LIFE & ARTS IN MEDICINE

Child Life and Arts in Medicine are programs designed to support children and families through the challenges of hospitalization and medical care. Child Life Specialists use play, education, and emotional support to help children understand their treatment, express their feelings, and cope with stress and fear. Arts in Medicine incorporates music, visual arts, movement, and creative activities to bring comfort, joy, and a sense of normalcy during difficult times. Together, these programs focus on the whole child — their emotional, social, and developmental needs — helping them feel empowered, understood, and cared for throughout their medical journey.

BEREAVEMENT SERVICES

Bereavement services are designed to support individuals and families navigating the complex journey of grief. These services offer compassionate care, providing emotional support, coping strategies, and resources to help individuals heal and find hope after the loss of a loved one.Big Bend Hospice provides compassionate bereavement services to support individuals and families navigating grief, whether or not their loved one was in hospice care. Their team offers a safe, judgment-free space for sharing feelings, along with grief resources, coping strategies, and ongoing guidance throughout the healing process. Services include one-on-one and family counseling at home, in the office, or by phone, as well as priority access to grief support groups. Specialized programs for youth include monthly Children’s Nights, school-based grief groups, and Camp Woe-Be-Gone, an annual day camp for grieving children. Additional community support includes workshops, presentations, holiday grief sessions, and therapeutic options such as Therapeutic Touch and Rendever Virtual Reality experiences. Support is available for up to 13 months after a loved one’s passing, helping families through significant milestones and the “year of firsts,” while fostering connection, understanding, and hope throughout the grief journey.

SOCIAL WORK AND GUEST SERVICES

Social Work & Guest Services provides compassionate, comprehensive support to patients and their families as they navigate the challenges of serious illness. Social workers help address emotional, social, and practical needs, offering counseling, guidance, and advocacy to reduce stress and improve quality of life. They connect families with community resources, assist with financial and insurance concerns, and provide support during difficult medical decisions. By helping patients and families cope with the physical, emotional, and logistical aspects of care, Social Work & Patient Services empowers them to focus on healing, meaningful moments, and maintaining a sense of control and well-being throughout the healthcare journey.

PROJECT STREETLIGHT

The UF Health Streetlight program offers compassionate peer support to adolescents and young adults aged 13–30 facing chronic or life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and organ transplants. Through a dedicated team of over 60 college-aged volunteers, Streetlight provides consistent companionship, emotional support, and social engagement during hospitalizations. The program aims to build resilience and identity by fostering meaningful relationships and creating legacy projects that celebrate each patient's unique journey. By addressing the psychosocial challenges of serious illness, Streetlight ensures that young patients do not face their medical challenges alone.

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