Penn State Dance Marathon!!!!

[PSULion22]

I just wanted to bring this event to everyone's attention. It is truly a special and amazing event and charity.

A brief overview about THON for those who don't know what it is (which is probably most of you). Penn State Dance Marathon is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. It raises millions of dollars a year for the Four Diamonds Fund. Based at the Hershey Medical Center, the Four Diamonds Funds provides treatment, housing, and support to pediatric cancer patients and their families, free of charge. THON, as it is called, is 48 straight hours on your feet for a dancer. NO sitting, NO sleeping, NO kidding. "Dancing" was the most incredible experience of my life. The kids, their families, and all of the supporters are amazing. Last year, THON raised $5.2 Million for the kids. That's right $5.2 Million!!!!!

THON started Friday night at 6 pm and will run until Sunday at 4. During that time dancers are not allowed to sit. They must remain on their feet the entire time. It seems like a lot, but it's a small sacrifice and hardship compared to what these children and their families experience. I danced and I'm pretty sure Patchy did as well. I'm also willing to bet that every Nittany Lion on this board has participated in some way, as have many of the people living somewhere near the area.

The THON website can be found at Penn State Dance Marathon - Helping to Conquer Childhood Cancer . There is more information there. THON is webcasted while it is in progress on the site too. You can get a look at what it really is. If you want to see something really special, try to watch at around 3 AM ET either Saturday or Sunday morning. The place will be packed and there is usually a pep rally. Also, the most special time is on Sunday around 11:30 am. That is Family Hour. The patients and their families all come up on stage. Some of the parents and/or patients speak to the crowd. It is really emotional. The total raised this year will be announced around 4:30 on Sunday afternoon. If you catch the crowd doing the same thing all at once, that is the Line Dance. Every year the committee of students in charge of planning THON create a line dance that involves pop culture, current events, and PSU spirit and traditions.

I strongly urge everyone to take a look at this and try to watch the video even for just a minute of two.

You can donate online if you feel compelled. If you do so, I ask that you make the donation in the name of my fraternity or an organization that another GSBB member was involved with. There is a drop down menu on the donation page that asks if you want to give credit to an organization. I was in Alpha Phi Omega. That is a co-ed national community service fraternity. Much more volunteer charity organization than fraternity.

[mahagoalie3189]

Had the same thing at the University of Kentucky last night. Loads of fun, and everything goes to a good cause.

[Steve L]

My niece used to be the MC for that when she was at PSU. She always said it was the highlight of the year at that school.

[soulpatch]

yes I danced. It was the best 72 hours of my life.

Though I had class and such on Friday and could not sleep when I got home so I ended up being up for well over 100 hours. It was insane and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat just to see the looks on those kids faces and to know we are helping them.......

A smile from them would cure ANY pain you had in your body.....

[darthlampe]

My roommate danced a couple years ago. He's heavily involved every year, and actually started his college's dancing team from what I understand.

I've always wanted to know how much goes to research. From my understanding, most of the money goes directly to families. Tried navigating that link with no luck on that information.

[PSULion22]

Originally Posted by darthlampe

My roommate danced a couple years ago. He's heavily involved every year, and actually started his college's dancing team from what I understand.

I've always wanted to know how much goes to research. From my understanding, most of the money goes directly to families. Tried navigating that link with no luck on that information.

My recollection is it takes something like $3mil to care for the families. Anything over that goes to research. Of course, that could be way off, but I think I remember hearing that somewhere.

[PSULion22]

In case anyone is interested, Family Hour will be starting now, 1 pm et. the THON families will be coming up and talking to the dancers. You can watch live online.

[PSULion22]

THON this year raised $6.6 MILLION!!!!!!

That brings the total to over $50 million in the thirty years THON has been run.