| For the next 48 hours students at Penn State will participate in Thon, also known as the Dance Marathon. A moving event, and a wonderful fundraiser for children with cancer. |
From the Harrisburg Patriot News
The 48-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping marathon, which begins today at 7 p.m. in Recreation Hall on the University Park campus, benefits The Four Diamonds Fund, which provides financial support to children with cancer and their families at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
Since THON -- the largest student-run philanthropy in the world -- adopted The Four Diamonds Fund in 1977, it has raised more than $29 million to fight pediatric cancer. In 2002, it raised a record $3.6 million.
I myself have seen this event. When I saw it in the mid 90s it was in the somewhat modest White Building. It has now grown so large that it is now in Rec Hall, the home of Nittany Lion Volleyball. (Formerly of the basketball teams until they moved to the 19,000 seat Jordan Center)
It is a moving experience. These students, who do not sit or lay down for 48 hours. They raise money for kids with cancer and the Four Diamonds Foundation. During the last few hours they are visited by the children and families they are helping. Each group which sends dancers "adopts" a family, and the tears flow as they are united and they unveil how much was raised during the event and stories of love, loss, and courage are shared.
Posted by psugrad98 at February 20, 2004 08:57 PM
