I’m a freshman here at Penn State and this past weekend I experienced my first THON. Those who don’t attend Penn State view it as a 46-hour dance marathon to raise money for families dealing with pediatric cancer. They ask, “Why is it such a big deal?” and, “Why do you spend the entire year raising money for ONE weekend?” Well, because it’s so much more than just a dance marathon. I never believed people when they told me that it changed their life forever. I thought, “How could 46 hours standing up truly change one’s life?” Well, now I know. THON weekend was one that I will never forget.
I walked into the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday afternoon surrounded by the other 15,000 eager students. I was nervous and I didn’t know exactly what I was getting myself into. I’ve never pulled an all-nighter and, of course, I was an avid napper. I knew it was going to be a tough next couple of days of barely any sleep and multiple cups of coffee. It was just a simple battle with time. I repeatedly reminded myself it was only 46 hours. I could do it.
Hours would pass as I looked out into the stands and onto the floor where the 700+ dancers and kids were standing, and I easily lost track of the time. We were there for the kids. They ran around the floor so carefree and innocent. From something as minor as blowing bubbles to hula-hooping with a dancer, each child had the biggest smile on his or her face.
My view was an array of brightly colored t-shirts, Greek letters, different committees and orgs that all contributed in some way to THON. Yes, we might all be different and we might all have specific interests and ways of thinking, but THON is what brings us together as a Penn State community. We all strive to accomplish the goal of not only raising money for pediatric cancer, but also making these children and their families happy until they can one day find a cure. THON shows all 40,000 students that we go to the best university there is. We, as a student body, are putting smiles on the faces of children who may not have smiled in weeks. We are transforming tedious years of treatment and hospitalization into one beautiful environment where worries are non-existent and the future seems so eminently bright.
After this weekend, I am absolutely blessed that I have the opportunity to take part in such an unbelievable event. I’m even more blessed that I have another three years left to do this past weekend all over again. I’m so proud to be a student here at Penn State. THON has taught me so many powerful lessons. It has taught me not to take anything for granted in life. No matter how hard something may seem, there are others that are struggling way more than I am. I may have complained about standing up for hours this weekend and about the aches creeping up and down my legs, but I now realize my tiredness and leg cramps are nothing compared to these children battling cancer each and every day. The kids’ strength brought me strength to remain standing this weekend. If they didn’t give up, there was no reason for any of us to either.
As the festivities were winding down, Go Go Gadjet gave us an outstanding performance that lightened the mood and had everyone jumping up and down. Then, to finish off the weekend, the total was revealed. It was official, Penn State did it again. With the help of so many loving friends, family, alum and various donors, we raised $13,026,653.23 FTK, giving us another 13,026,653 reasons to smile.
WE ARE forever Penn State strong! For the kids, for the fight, and for the cure. Shout out to the amazing dancers, the Four Diamond families and above all else, the kids. Let’s continue to empower dreamers everywhere and show the world that CANCER CANNOT.