For as long as I can remember, children have been the center of my world. From playing school in my basement, to teaching dance at the age of 13, to working at a daycare and summer camp, I knew that my life was meant to serve and help others and my heart connected to children in particular. Kids are incredible; their pure innocence and kind hearts are what keeps me going. To know that some children have to have this pureness taken away by something as life alerting as cancer is unacceptable. That is why I feel beyond blessed to have the opportunity to be 1 of over 700 dancers that will stand for 46 hours this weekend as we show the world how we are “Igniting Hope Within!”
As a senior, I have had many THON experiences throughout my 4 years at Penn State. I’ve seen THON through four different committees (Hospitality, two Dancer Relations committees, and a Special Events committee), through a small Organization (Everyday), and through Greek life (Delta Gamma and Sigma Pi). Each and every one of these THON experiences has been amazing and I feel so lucky to have been a part of THON in so many different ways. Every past THON weekend, I’ve walked out of the BJC on Sunday with the “this was my best THON yet!” attitude, unable to fathom how next year could possibly top the weekend I just experienced. But, low and behold, each year I am beyond blown away by the love and magic that IS THON weekend.
There is one roll that I have yet to experience first hand and, in just a few short days, that will all change. I will be experiencing THON through the eyes of a dancer. For the past few years, I have known what to expect at THON. I’ve known that I will be able to get some rest, sit down, go home and freshen up. Experiencing THON as a dancer, though, is what I would describe as “fear of the unknown.” While it is one of the most exciting, meaningful and most important things I feel that I have done in a really long time, it still does not stop the nerves and irrational fears from emerging.
I began my journey to dance in THON back in October, when my roommate and I decided to independently raise money and enter into the dancer lottery in late January. My whole journey to dance in THON has been described by the word “unknown.” It was unknown how much money we would raise, it was unknown if our fundraisers or THONvelopes would be successful and most of all, it was unknown if we would be picked in lottery at the end of the fundraising window. After our long journey of raising money, our dreams came true and we received that “Congratulations, you’re dancing in THON 2017 email!” It was the biggest rush of emotions I’ve ever felt and I was beyond thrilled to be dancing for the kids.
Going into THON 2017 is one of the most surreal feelings I have ever experienced. I do not think it’ll hit me until I stand up that I will be on my feet and without sleep for a full 46 hours. I know there is going to be pain, I know there is going to be exhaustion and I know it’s not going to be easy. That being said, I feel that my small sacrifice of pushing my body for those 46 hours, is the LEAST I can do to show my full support and love to all of those children and families who are, or who have had to, go through the battle that is pediatric cancer. My 46 hours is NOTHING compared to months of chemo and radiation. My 46 hours is NOTHING compared to long stays in the hospital. My 46 hours is NOTHING compared to losing a daughter, a son, a friend, a brother, a sister, or a cousin, to pediatric cancer.
THON is one of the most beautiful organizations to be a part of. I feel that my life has changed for the better and that I am an all around better person, for THON coming into my life. I’ve learned to be more selfless, caring, patient and kind from THON and the little miracles we fight for each and every day have taught me so much about living life to the fullest. Putting THON into words proved one of the most difficult tasks. The only way I can think to describe THON is a feeling. It is the feeling I get when I think about THON or the emotion I feel when people ask me about THON. It is that “Christmas Eve” feeling I get the night before THON weekend and the love I have for crazy socks and tutus. It is the happy smile on a child’s face as she chases me with a water gun. I hope that all students are inspired to fight through the weekend for what THON is all about, the KIDS.
I THON For The Kids. I THON For A Cure. I THON for my future children. I THON for my future students. I dance for a cure, so that one-day, I will dance in celebration.