Of all the things I love about my alma mater, this is my favorite.
If you haven’t heard of the Penn State Dance Marathon before, you should learn more here. It was one boy. With one courageous story. That sparked one BIG dance. All to eradicate the very thing that took his life; pediatric cancer.
THON, as it is affectionately known on campus, is the BEST thing that Penn State does. Any Penn Stater, past or present, is proud to announce that THON is the biggest student-run philanthropy in the world. It’s a year-long fundraising effort that culminates with a 46-hour dance marathon. That dance marathon is happening this weekend. The lucky ones chosen to dance are doing so for 46 hours. Forty six. FORTY SIX!
No sitting. No sleeping. No kidding.
And it’s done by kids! KIDS! I know, I know, when you get to college you’re technically an adult. But c’mon. These are 18, 19, and early 20-somethings out there making big sacrifices. For the past year they have stood on sidewalk corners asking for donations. They have braved horrific weather and heavy traffic. They have begged friends and family for donations. They have written letters. They have sent emails, texts, and made phone calls. Then, they just hope they will be lucky enough to be chosen to dance for 46 hours straight. All to eradicate childhood cancer.
So how much can kids really raise? Last year: 12 million dollars. Yes. 12 MILLION.
Those fundraising dollars, plus the 101+ million that has been raised since THON’s inception in 1977, go to the Four Diamonds Fund.
THON 2014 came to a close a few moments ago. One-by-one, the leaders of the event raised a poster board with a digit on it. They started at the end and worked backwards until they revealed the grand total that the Four Diamonds Fund will receive.
$13,343,517.33. It gives me chills.
It also gives me chills to think about the fact that these KIDS are our future. These kids that are leaving it all on the dance floor for something bigger than they are will someday be leaders across the country. They may work in your office. Or, they may run for office. Who knows?! All I know is that I’m proud of them. Proud that they’re doing something meaningful. Something that requires sacrifice. Something that will help those in need.
THON on, PSU!
“I see a generation, rising up to take their place.” – Desert Song, Hillsong
