This Friday, Penn State will kickoff the 40th annual IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, PA. THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world raising money for The Four Diamonds Fund, an organization through Penn State Hershey Medical Center that financially supports families with children battling pediatric cancer. This year-long fundraising effort culminates in a 46-hour no-sleeping, no-sitting dance marathon, held from February 17th-19th.
Last year, THON raised a record breaking $9,563,016.09 for the kids and this year, the 15,000+ student volunteers are hoping to break $10 million. This goal may not be too far out of reach, thanks to the Paterno family. After the death of former Penn State football coach and iconic legend, Joe Paterno, his family requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Penn State Dance Marathon or The Special Olympics. Many Paterno supporters donated to THON and regular donors donated again in his memory, an option made available on THON’s website.
708 dancers will stand on their feet for 46 hours straight without sitting or sleeping and fortunately, I am lucky enough to be one of them. From Pre-THON until the total is raised, I will be live tweeting the entire weekend, providing updates on events, capacity, entertainment, and my mental and physical condition as the weekend progresses using the hashtag #THON12.
THON will be live-streamed the entire 46 hours and Diamond Guides with the complete itinerary will be sold on the concourse level of the BJC. Doors open Friday at 4:00 p.m. and Pre-THON will begin at 5:30. Dancers will stand at 6:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Sunday when the total is raised. If you plan on attending THON, be sure to arrive early because the doors will be forced to close if the BJC reaches capacity and reserving seats is prohibited.
For more information regarding THON and the rules and regulations, visit www.THON.org and be sure to follow me on twitter @KarisaMaxwell for dancer updates!
“One day we will dance in celebration, until then we will dance for a cure.”
FOR THE KIDS!
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