Two-and-a-half-year-old Geoffrey Porter gazed down at the UF men's basketball team with a smile on his face as he clapped his hands together and shot at a make-believe basketball hoop.
He was using sign language to say "basketball," his mom Eliza Porter said.
Geoffrey's family was one of ten families that attended Miracle Day, an event presented by Dance Marathon at UF, where Children's Miracle Network ambassador families from Shands Children's Hospital were invited to attend a regulation basketball practice at the UF men's basketball practice facility from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., said Mallory Ramos, public relations chair for Dance Marathon.
While Geoffrey skipped around in his yellow rain boots, pointing at players on the court, his mom, holding Geoffrey's 3-month-old sister, said he was the happiest kid.
Geoffrey was diagnosed with Leukemia at 4 months old. After 18 months of chemotherapy he was in recovery, his mom said.
The Porter family became involved with Children's Miracle Network while Geoffrey received treatment at Shands, she said. Events such as this one allow families who have gone through difficult times to feel like they are being recognized for their accomplishments, she said.
Emily Eastmoore, Dance Marathon family relations chair, put together Wednesday's event, which was the large fall event to promote and raise awareness for Dance Marathon at UF, held April 5 to April 6.
All events leading to Dance Marathon are for families to interact with one another and with the student organizations involved, Eastmoore said.
According to a press release, all proceeds of Dance Marathon at UF are used to buy life-saving medical equipment, fund pediatric research and purchase diversionary activities such as computers, games and toys.
"The most rewarding aspect of participating in Dance Marathon at UF is, by far, having the opportunity to meet and interact with the children and families that have benefited by the funds raised by Dance Marathon and Children's Miracle Network," said Jordan Bell, the overall chair of Dance Marathon, in the press release.
In the 14 years that Dance Marathon has been held at UF, ,2.3 million have been raised for families like the Porters.
