Sophie Hadley: “CMN Hospitals and Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Have Changed My Life”
A guest article from Sophie Hadley, a student at Windermere High School, sharing how CMN Hospitals, Dance Marathon and Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children has impacted her life:
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has inspired and impacted so many aspects of my life. Having to transfer to a new public school and leave many of my friends left a gap in my school life that I really wanted to fill. After knowing about Warriorthon through my time at West Orange High School, I wanted to learn more about CMN Hospitals and Dance Marathon. Upon seeing the remarkable impact made by CMN Hospitals funds at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer, I was inspired to help start a Dance Marathon at my new school, Windermere High School, last year.
My sophomore year of high school was composed of constant Dance Marathon events and fundraisers as we strived to raise $30,000 for the kids. I was floored, and even further inspired, by this cause when it was revealed that our community was able to come together to raise $60,098.09 as not only a first year Dance Marathon program, but a first year school – it was the first time we were doing anything together as a campus!
Seeing the impact that could be made, I wanted to further my involvement with the hospital and so I began volunteering at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in the Triage unit. I am currently a junior at Windermere High, and plan to continue to volunteer until I graduate from high school in the hopes of furthering my new found passion of becoming a Pediatric Surgical Oncologist.
All of these things have inspired me, but nothing has been more fulfilling then seeing things come full circle. Personally, I am now connected to the passion and hard work of others who have been supported through charitable funds around the hospital. I have always had a passion for running and was the cross country captain last year, but I developed horrendous back pain that has still not been diagnosed. I am currently seeing multiple specialists at Orlando Health, and my passion and love for this cause has made this situation a lot easier and has strengthened my desire to continue putting my effort where the miracles are.
CMN Hospitals and Dance Marathon have allowed me to meet some of the most amazing individuals, who have helped open my eyes to my true passion. To me, being a part of one generation fighting for the next is not something I do only one night of the year in March; it is a life passion and lifestyle I am excited to continue in my college career and hopefully beyond. I can’t thank Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Orlando Health Arnold Palmer, and Dance Marathon enough for showing me a true beauty in life… helping those who need it most: the kids.
