Pennsylvania State University has just raised $10 million dollars during their annual dance maraTHON.
The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. It’s a year-long effort that raises funds and awareness for the fight against childhood cancer.
708 dancers, helped by thousands of other students, stood for almost 2 days straight without sleeping or sitting.
The money raised from the marathon benefits pediatric cancer patients and their families by going to Penn State’s Four Diamonds families, as well as critical research done at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
More than $13 million was raised last year, and the fundraiser notched a record $13.34 million the year before.
Jenna Zavian, a junior at Penn State, told Global Citizen that, “After experiencing a record-breaking THON my freshman year, there were certain expectations to uphold. It became a mission to fundraise so much more.”
But she recalled that people soon began to lose sight of why they THON, which may be why this year’s total was lower.
In addition, a tragic accident occurred last fall. A student was killed in single-vehicle crash on September 27th. Those involved in the Thon were getting ready for their first scheduled canning weekend.
Canning is a type of fundraising the students use in order to raise money for the cause. During the weekend they go out in groups with tin cans to collect money.
However, due to that accident the Executive Committee for THON cancelled the last two canning events.
“Leading up to THON, there was this underlying nervousness that we weren't going to beat our previous totals. But the second you walk into the BJC (Bryce Jordan Center), it's not about the money. It's about the people; the energy.”
Jenna said that, “It doesn't feel like we raised $3 million less than last year- it feels like we raised $9 million more.”
THON also featured two special guests this year.
Cancer survivor, Leah Still, and her dad Devon Still, former Penn State football player and current defensive end for the Texas Houstons, attended THON to rally the students and show their support.
Leah has fought an inspiring battle against pediatric cancer since she was diagnosed in June 2014. Her famous father took a hiatus from his NFL career to sleep every night on a couch in her hospital room by Leah’s side.
This past January, Leah's father happily announced on Instagram that Leah, 5, finished her last five-day round of cancer treatments.
Stories like Leah’s are why Penn State students ‘THON.’
Cancer is uncommon in children. But it occurs and it is tragic. The most common childhood cancers are leukemia, lymphoma, and brain cancer.
Any diagnosis of cancer is upsetting, but especially when a child is afflicted. Children can also face different difficulties than an adult battling cancer because of the effect of treatments on their growing bodies.
With money raised from the Penn State Dance-a-THON, they hope to one day find a cure to childhood cancer. Since 1977, THON has raised more than $127 million benefitting the Four Diamonds program at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. Four Diamonds picks up the bill when insurance falls short, enabling families to focus their attention on their child. This assistance ensures that counselors, social workers, and music therapists are available to provide comprehensive care in a family-focused atmosphere.
While speaking with Jenna about THON, she kept emphasizing the atmosphere inside the Bryce Jordan Center during those 46 hours of dancing. Jenna told us that thinking about this past weekend still gives her chills.
“It's about dancing widely, laughing deliriously, and crying hysterically. Suddenly, it doesn't matter what organization you're a part of--you're simply a Penn Stater. That's what WE ARE”
Now, as a soon-to-be Rutgers University alumn, I can admit there are very few occasions where you’ll find me rooting for our rivals, the Penn State Nittany Lions.
However, THON is one thing I can definitely get behind.
The notion that doing something for others can give you a rush of emotion and adrenaline is so powerful. Helping others is not always 100% selfless. It can be about the feeling you get when you know you're making a difference in someone else’s life. The impact of something so simple as dancing can go a long way and even improve the quality of life for a child.
“Everyone should be able to experience such emotion like this, it's an incredible thing to witness,” Jenna urged.
So, shouldn’t we all try to find that rush? that passion? Find something that truly inspires you where you can also give back to your community and help improve the lives of others.