The THON committee at Penn State New Kensington, headed by senior Kelly Sieja, shattered the campus record by raising $52,392 for the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon that benefits the Four Diamonds Fund and the fight against pediatric cancer.
The total topped the stated goal of $40,000 and more than doubled the previous record of $23,000 set just last year. The campus ranked third among Penn State's 19 commonwealth campuses. New Kensington students Deanna Mazur, Megan Pulask, Nicki Thoma and Kiki Wilkinson represented the campus at the University-wide event.
"This was an absolute amazing weekend and I never anticipated us making our goal, yet we surpassed it," said Sieja, a senior psychology major. "I'm overwhelmed with different emotions and I'm so proud that New Kensington made a difference."
Mazur's participation added another dimension to the project: administrator-turned-dancer. The Natrona Heights native was the event's chair last and guided the effort that set the previous campus standard. She stepped down after serving two terms and raising more than $30,000. After experiencing both sides of the massive fundraising process, her commitment to the Four Diamonds fund was reinforced.
"Having seen THON from two different perspective -- chair and dancer -- the four diamonds, strength, courage, honesty, and wisdom, mean so much more to me now, then ever before," said Mazur, who graduates in May with a bachelor's degree in business administration. "I want to help lift the burden cancer puts on a family physically, financially, and emotionally.
Overall, more than 15,000 volunteers supported the cause which offers financial and emotional support to pediatric cancer patients and their families and also funds cancer research.
Throughout the no-sitting, no-sleeping event, dancers were supported by the entertainment and the crowds in the stands. Many of the Four Diamonds families who benefit from the money raised at THON also were in attendance. One family had already lost a child to cancer.
"Standing there the last four hours, feet hurting, eyes heavy, and then hearing a father say we (the dancers) are why his family still is at THON, even though his daughter has passed away, put it all into perspective," said Mazur, who devotes numerous hours to a campus and community activities throughout the year.
Overall, THON broke all records again this year, raising more than $9.5 million and bringing the total raised since its inception in 1977 to nearly $80 million. THON is believed to be the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. More than 15,000 volunteers supported the cause which offers financial and emotional support to pediatric cancer patients and their families and also funds cancer research. Approximately 100 new families receive support each year.
For more information, contact Sieja, kms5745@psu.edu via e-mail. For more on THON, visit http://www.thon.org/ online.