THON 2012 participants get massages from committee members and the Nittany Lion. Photo courtesy of Penn State Dance Marathon.
“The mission of the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon is to conquer pediatric cancer by providing outstanding emotional and financial support to the children, families, researchers and staff of the Four Diamonds Fund. FTK (For The Kids)!”
In just one week, the Bryce Jordan Center will be transformed in to the magical home of the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, more commonly known as THON. THON is a year-long effort, which raises funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. This year, the 46-hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon will begin Friday, February 15 and conclude Sunday, February 17.
Since 1977, all the money raised by THON is given to The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. The Four Diamonds Fund picks up where a family’s insurance leaves off for the cost of treatments and other expenses for the children. Since paired with The Four Diamonds Fund, THON has raised more than $89 million dollars, raising $10.68 million last year alone.
THON is comprised of more than 15,000 student volunteers and is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Students fundraise and work all year long to make THON weekend the best for the children and their families. As the mission states, all the work put into THON is FTK, for the kids, to help them in their battle with cancer.
“One day we’ll dance in celebration, until then we dance for a cure.” For information on THON, or if you wish to donate, visit thon.org.
About: Emily Meeder
Hello! My name is Emily Meeder and I am a senior at Penn State. I am majoring in print journalism with a minor in English. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and I have been a Penn State fan since I was a little girl.
