Each year, THON dancers stand for 46 hours to help in the fight against pediatric cancer. This year, Danielle Perkins was one of the 708 Penn State students chosen. So before she begins dancing tonight, HC caught up with her for an interview.Â
HC: What organization are you dancing for?
Danielle: I’m dancing independently with Maura Carney.
HC: How long have you known that you wanted to dance?
Danielle: I’ve wanted to dance since I first visited THON freshman year. I participated in Blue Band THON events back then and after my first time on the floor, I developed such a passion for everything THON related.
HC: Why did you decide you wanted to dance?
Danielle: I was on a morale committee last year, and having been assigned my own dancer to morale throughout the weekend, I was able to see all the aspects of dancing; from the times where she was struggling to the moments where she was so spirited and energetic. The whole weekend was truly magical, and I can barely wait to devote myself entirely for 46 hours to fight for a cure for pediatric dancer.
HC: What are you most looking forward to during THON weekend?
Danielle: My favorite part is right at 6 p.m. on Friday when all the dancers stand up. It’s such a wild mix of emotions, from excitement to anxiety, to the huge adrenaline rush feeling that you get.
That’s my favorite moment of THON, because everyone is united over this one cause; it’s truly inspirational. But, I think what I’m actually looking forward to most—aside from that moment—is being able to be with the children and their families. I want to be able to make a little girl feel like a real Disney princess and let a little boy beat me a in a water gun fight. After all, this weekend isn’t about me at all. It’s about them. They’re the reason I THON.
HC: How are you preparing yourself mentally and physically?
Danielle: I’ve been preparing a ton. I drink about four juice boxes on my way to classes each day, on top of taking my daily vitamins and consuming probably 600 percent of my daily recommended Vitamin C, trying to build up my immunity.
Rest is so important too, although I tend to be a night crawler. Lately I’ve been sleeping around eight hours a night. However, the most motivating thing for me to do is remember the reason that I’m dancing is For The Kids. At any point that I feel nervous or people tell me that it’s going to be a difficult weekend, I say, “so what?” So what if my feet hurt and I start imagining that silly things are happening. So what if I feel tired and achey. The struggles that the Four Diamonds children have gone through far outnumber what I will experience this weekend, and I’m ready to take on that challenge.
My thoughts and prayers always go out to these families and children, and nothing will make me feel more heartened than knowing that for 46 hours I am fighting for them too, because I am standing up against cancer.