Kylee McGrane and Maggie McAndrew are real life Princesses of Compassion #AtoZChallenge

What would you do if you and your buddy looked like Disney Princesses? Sure, you could cosplay at comic-cons or better yet, become internet divas and get tons of followers and free products.

Or you could be like the gorgeous duo of Kylee McGrane and Maggie McAndrew. The two college students co-founded A Moment of Magic, a non-profit group made up of young volunteers who dress up as famous female characters and visit pediatric ward patients.

In the short span of over two years, the group have sat besides, sang along with, read stories to and made over 5000 sick children (and their parents) laugh during their hospital stay with their magical appearances.

Their mission: "To re-deliver the magic of believing at a time 

when they need to 'just be a kid,' and remind them to be brave, strong, and fearless."

In the presence of royalty, I tend to get tongue-tied usually. Luckily, the two Princesses Kylee McGrane and Maggie McAndrew are here to take over.

Q. The resemblance to the Disney princesses is uncanny but what is the origin story of this dynamic duo and A Moment of Magic?

Kylee:  When I was home after Christmas break in December 2015, I was watching the Disney movie Frozen with my family and really fell in love with the storyline and was able to identify with Elsa. I thought I even kind of looked like Elsa!

Well, she's got a point!

I've always been really inspired by Taylor Swift and her work with pediatric cancer and suddenly everything just clicked like a culmination of all the things I loved in one. I texted Maggie about joining me and she immediately agreed and really helped us get off the ground by setting up a Gofundme page for us. Then our organization was born!

Maggie: I got a text message from her asking if I would be interested in dressing up like a princess and visiting kids in pediatric hospitals. I said yes right away and our journey began. We started crowdfunding for costumes and hospital visits and within two weeks we had raised almost 2,000 dollars. In May we got into our first hospital and we were immediately hooked. 

I loved every second of it; the kids we met, the magic I saw created right in front of me. It was absolutely incredible. I never saw the power of love so in action than when I did during my time with those kids.

Q. Could you tell us about 'A Moment of Magic'?

Kylee: A Moment of Magic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that allows college students to provide creative programming to pediatric hospitals, social service institutions, and even directly to families. Some of our most popular services include: princess visits, superhero visits, celebrity visits, and family support. 

Our organization visits children in need free of charge to the institution. We provide services such as individual visits, bedside visits, group visits, story readings and special events - just to name a few.

Heroes in and out of Costume. 

The picture on the left is our 1st Annual Find Your Wings Brunch 

where we raised over $12,000 for the foundation!

You can find more information on our website here.

Q. You make so many children happy. But what about your secret identities? Do you get recognized by the children when you are not in your Princess outfits?

Maggie: Some of the kids we’ve become close to are in on the secret of what we do, and we’ve actually met them just as us. Hanging out with them as myself and as a princesses is awesome! It lets me get to know them on so many different levels and really make a lasting connection with them.

Kylee: It’s actually kind of funny -- almost like having two lives! While we work very hard to transport ourselves to and from visits and fly under the radar, sometimes kids are just too smart! I’ve taken photos with kids in grocery stores and restaurants because they are convinced I’m Elsa even when I’m dressed normally! It’s such an honor to meet so many kids, in and out of costume.

Like Maggie said, I’ve actually gotten to meet a handful of the kids as myself which has truly been such an honor. I think it’s a little easier to make connections with the kids when you’re a princess, because you’re already recognizable to them. But when I get to meet them as myself and we get to form this awesome bond, it’s a totally different experience and one that I value so incredibly much.

Q. Could you share a few anecdotes from your journey as princesses?

 Maggie: On one hospital visit, Kylee and I walked into a room to be greeted by the happiest little smile. As we began talking to the little girl, she only looked at us and smiled, not really chatting with us. I decided to begin speaking to her in Spanish, and her eyes immediately lit up. She and I had this instant connection. She was the happiest little girl I had ever met. As we were leaving her room, her child life specialist grabbed me and told me her story. A week ago the specialist was preparing her family for the worst, but miraculously here she was sitting up and talking to me. For some reason I was given this moment to share with her and I was extremely grateful. 

Kylee: For those moments we spend with the child, they are not a patient or a fighter. They are simply a child experiencing the magic of childhood. I think that's the most magical part about what we do -- we spend time with the child just as they are and treat them like a prince or princess they deserve to be. Together we create this indescribable magic that's just pure pixie dust and love and in those moments we spend with the child that's all that matters. 

There's so many incredible moments that I experience. But I think one of the most impactful moments is having families I've visited visited reach out to me days, weeks, or months after I’ve visited the child to tell me how much they still talk about that moment. I’ve had parents tell me that they’ve talked about our visits on their kid’s worst days to cheer them up and knowing that me doing something as simple as spending time with them as their favorite character has been a memory that gets them through the rainy days and has had that much of an impact on me that it has changed my outlook on life. 

I wish I could pick out one single moment that has moved me, but to be completely honest, every single visit I am able to go on and every child has touched my life beyond words and I am just so incredibly grateful to do what I do.

 Q. Any personal message from the two of you to the world?

Kylee: A Moment of Magic is so important to me because I feel like it’s my life mission -- it’s what I was put on this earth to do. In a small way, for just a short moment, we help take away the scariness of the hospital, we distract from the illness, and we make kids just feel like they can be kids. Like they can believe in beautiful things and happily ever afters. 

We bring awareness to pediatric cancer, which deserves so much more attention. We help give college students a platform and something to fight for. It’s the first thing I think about at morning and the last thing I think about at night.

3 Princesses and a Baby: Maggie McAndrew and Kylee McGrane with 

Miss New York Serena Bucaj (center)

Maggie: Small acts of kindness and love can truly transform the world. Whether you’re dressing up like a princesses or just holding the door open for someone, being kind is one of the greatest things you can do in this world.

Kylee: It truly is my purpose and I feel so blessed I get to be on this crazy adventure. So I guess, in short, adventure and purpose are out there for everyone. It is just up to us to go and find it. Be fearless. Take the first step. Jump in headfirst. Everything will work out in the end. I promise.

Well, click the video for the pretty Princesses... stay for the lovely hearts (and to sing the song out loud!)

Why I want you to remember Kylee McGrane and Maggie McAndrew

To be beautiful both on the outside and within is a rare combination. When you choose to use those traits to bring a smile on the faces of scared little children, you rise above the perceived image of a faux princess. You become a true Queen of Hearts.

This is part of my #AtoZChallenge where I will be focusing on Real Life Heroes: Shining Examples of Kindness and Compassion. You can find other real-life heroes here.



P.S. Think you know your Disney? Well, here's my Challenge for you - How many Disney Princesses can you identify in this A Moment of Magic video?