News — Students Dress As Disney Characters And Visit Cancer Patients
by Talia Koren

A foundation called A Moment Of Magic started by two college students has volunteers dress up as real life Disney princesses to visit children in hospitals.

If that doesn't make you want to say "awww" out loud, then there's probably no hope for you.

It was founded by College of Mount Saint Vincent students Kylee McGrane and Maggie McAndrew. They now have about 40 volunteers who dress up as famous princesses like Elsa from "Frozen" to put smiles on young cancer patients' faces.

In the video, McGrane talks about how she feels when she goes on these extra special visits. She says,

I still get nervous every time I go into a hospital. I'm always afraid I'm never going to be pretty enough or smart enough or thin enough, but, you know, it's the kids that make me confident because I don't think I ever go on a visit where a little girl doesn't like grab my hair or just literally hands on my face and go, 'You're beautiful,' and that's the most heartwarming thing.

The foundation is actually a program that other colleges and universities across the country can adopt as either The Fairytale Force or Mission Super Hero. The former focuses on famous fairytale characters and the latter lets volunteers visit children as superheroes.

These visits can have a lasting positive effect on the children. The have the opportunity to make the day of these kids. McAndrew says,

You just see this instantaneous magic happen.

In the video, an adorable patient is singing "Let It Go" with McGrane, who is dressed up as Elsa. What could be more special than that?

The volunteers meet once a week for mandatory princess training sessions.

The young women need to remain strong for these visits.

It's tough for them, too, but they power through it to put smiles on these patients' faces.

In the video, one of the volunteers explains there's no time limit on the visits. She says,

We're there as long as they need us.

It's not just a walk through visit where patients get to see the princesses; they actually hang out and get to know them, making the experience unforgettable.

These volunteers give kids the chance to forget they're in a hospital for just one day, and that means the world to them.

They also give gifts, like tiaras, to the kids. Because anyone can be a princess.

A Moment Of Magic's work is not only giving me all of the feels, but it's making me want to dress up as Ariel from "The Little Mermaid" (my favorite princess) and join them.