For dancers, participating in THON ‘is an honor’
UNIVERSITY PARK — Dancers and volunteers at the annual Penn State Dance Marathon — known simply as THON — are honored to participate in the event, which raises money to fight childhood cancer.
“My mom is a breast cancer survivor. It is an honor. Not a lot of people get the opportunity to dance at THON,” said dancer Alexis Hile, a Penn State Altoona sophomore from Harrisburg.
THON, which ends today at 4 p.m., hosts more than 16,500 student volunteers and about 700 dancers at the Bryce Jordan Center during its annual 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon.
More than 400 Penn State student organizations, from sororities and fraternities to club sports, participate in THON throughout the school year by holding fundraisers, attending THON events and building relationships with beneficiary families.
THON weekend is the culmination of these yearlong efforts as people from all over the United States will come together to not only support the dancers on their feet, but to support families
battling cancer each and every day.
“This year’s theme, ‘Igniting Hope Within,’ uses the symbol of a firefly that literally ignites a light within itself to represent the carefree mindset of a child,” THON 2017 Public Relations Director Sam Sherlock said in a statement. “The hope is that for these 46 hours, kids can forget about their cancer diagnosis and remember what it means to be a kid.”
Senior Andrew Kerson, a telecommunications major from Emmaus, is volunteering for the second year at THON.
“I wanted to do something bigger than myself. That is what this embodies. Coming into the BJC and seeing 16,500 student volunteers is something really inspiring,” Kerson said. “It is amazing to help all of the families. It is not just about money, but it is significant emotionally. To help to get away from everything for awhile, it is just amazing to me.”
Ryan Crosby, a Penn Sate Altoona junior from Greensburg, was dancing for three people.
“I am dancing for my best friend Ryan Clark, who had pediatric cancer as a child. He has been cancer free for many years. Also, my dad’s girlfriend and my mom’s best friend both died of cancer,” Crosby said. “I am a strong believer that if you can give back and you don’t, you are wasting valuable resources. I like to give back a lot.”
Marian Ahmad, a fifth-year senior from Altoona, is volunteering for the second year.
She said she became interested in THON as a ninth-grader when she attended a mini THON at Penn Ridge High School and saw a Four Diamonds family.
“After hearing their story, I became inspired. When I got here, I got involved right away. You get to do something bigger than yourself and interact with families that are going through cancer,” Ahmad said. “There is a place for every type of family at THON. We get everyone together dancing in celebration of life and the hope for a cure.”
This year, THON is celebrating its 40th anniversary of its pairing with Four Diamonds at Penn State Children’s Hospital. Since the beginning of its partnership in 1977, THON has raised more than $136 million for Four Diamonds and its efforts to fight childhood cancer.
COMMENTS