From Friday, Feb. 17 to Sunday, Feb. 19, students and faculty from around the Penn State System joined together at University Park for the 45th annual THON. $10,045,478.44 was raised for Four Diamonds at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.

 

The 46-hour dance marathon took place in the Bryce Jordan Center from Friday evening through Sunday evening. This student-run program provided emotional and financial support to families affected by pediatric cancer, while raising funds for critical research, according to THON’s website.

 

The philanthropy, whose motto is “One day we will dance in celebration, until then we will dance for a cure,” has raised $147 million dollars since 1977, according to Penn State News. Although there is one large event a year, fundraising is done year-round.

 

Anna Vaitekunas, sophomore at University Park, expected a big turnout this year. She said, “Organizations, sororities, clubs and so many others have been working year round to plan and fundraise for this weekend. There should be some great performances, fun activities, and emotional stories that will really change everyone’s lives.”

 

Students chosen to dance remained on the floor for the entire 46 hours without sitting or sleeping. While it may seem like a long and tiring time, they received overwhelming amounts of motivation throughout the weekend and realized that this is the least they could do for families who have it so rough.

 

Emily Bly is one of three dancers who represented Behrend this year. It was her third year participating and she expected it to be her best experience at THON yet.

 

“Being a dancer changes the entire game because it’ll be my first time on the floor and the first time I get to interact with multiple THON families. I think I just expect to feel a million emotions this weekend and I cannot wait,” said Bly.

 

Kelly Miller was another of the three Behrend representatives this year. Similarly, she said, “I think this year is going to be a blast because I will get to feel the energy from the floor at all times . . . I can’t wait to be involved in all the action on the floor and to be able to interact with the kids.”

 

Vaitekunas said that joining a sorority made her more involved with THON this year, as she did not get much out of attending last year other than the desire to become a bigger part of helping the cause.

 

Many Behrend students attended THON in addition to the three dancers. The students walked around the Bryce Jordan Center inside and outside. Anyone sitting inside was asked to leave because everyone is there to support the over 300 dancers, and sitting is not supportive.

Although the big THON event is over the 2017, those involved with the event will continue their year-long fundraising in preparation for next year’s THON.