(Photo: Penn State)
Something felt a little off on Sunday at 4 p.m. as thousands of dancers, committee members and spectators exited the Bryce Jordan Center at the conclusion of The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.
It happened.
The total for THON 2015 fell short of the previous year’s total. It was lower than last year’s total by $316,864.10, if you’re counting. This was also the first time there was a decrease from one year to the next since 2004.
If you were in attendance for the total reveal this past weekend, you couldn’t help but notice the slight aura of disappointment when everyone realized what had happened.
My first thought was “We didn’t do it.”
As I reflect back on my THON experience this year, I realize that my initial shock couldn’t have been more wrong. Sure, we didn’t break a record, and we didn’t beat the 2014 total. In spite of all this, THON 2015 was nothing short of an immensely amazing success.
The students of Penn State raised $13 million to fight pediatric cancer. 13. MILLION. DOLLARS. That is such a mind-blowing accomplishment.
It is beyond important to remember that THON is so much more than a donation amount. It’s so much more than a dollar sign.
If you ask any one of the families, THON is not all about the money. It’s about the unwavering support they receive from nearly 40,000 students. It’s about the smile they see on their child’s face in a situation they never imagined they’d find themselves in. It’s about water gun fights, piggy back rides and neon tutus. It’s about giving their child 46 hours of nothing but pure joy and amazement. That’s what THON is about.
When I think about THON 2015, I’m not going to remember this as the year we didn’t beat our total. I’m going to think of this year as the time I hugged a total stranger and was their shoulder to cry on. I’m going to remember my interactions with the kids. I’m going to remember jumping up and down with every last ounce of energy in my body and singing with a voice I didn’t even know I had.
I’m going to remember looking around the BJC in pure awe as thousands of students and spectators held each other, united together for the same cause.
I’m going to remember thinking, “I go to the best school in the world,” over and over.
Honestly, THON could raise $13 million or $13. No matter what, in 46 hours, 15,000 people become one family. The childhood that has been robbed from so many children is restored, if even for only the weekend. Parents see a light that is so bright in a time that can be so dark.
THON is humbling, awe-inspiring and truly indescribable. As Penn State students, we should be nothing short of insanely proud of ourselves. After all, we do this FTK.
The kids aren’t going to know how much money we raised this year. They’re going to know that those 46 hours were some of the happiest hours of their lives, and that’s all that matters.
THON 2015 empowered the dreamers. We showed the world that #CancerCannot stop us at any time, under any circumstance.
So congratulations, Penn State THON. We did it, for the kids.
(Photo: Free Republic)