Penn State York dancers Jimmy Clark, 19, of Red Lion, Pa., and Kara Smith, 22, of York, Pa., danced two nights away and completed the 46-hour annual Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON), Feb. 15 to 17, at the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State's University Park campus. THON raised a record-breaking $12,374,034.46 for the Four Diamonds Fund, topping the $10.6 million raised in 2012. Money raised through THON is used to help children with cancer at the Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. Penn State York broke its own record by raising $22,550.53 and shattered the previous campus record of $17,160.71.
First held in 1973, THON has partnered with the Four Diamonds Fund since 1977, and to date, the no-sitting, no-sleeping, two-day dance marathon has raised more than $100 million. More than 700 dancers and thousands of supporters come together at University Park in the hopes that one day a cure for pediatric cancer will be found.
In addition to raising money, THON enables campus students to raise spirits by sponsoring local families dealing with cancer. Members of York’s THON Committee have provided encouragement to the families through visits, parties, cards and plenty of emotional support. York’s two THON families are the Follers and the Hagens.
Throughout the weekend, themed “Inspire Tomorrow’s Miracles,” members of the York THON Committee encouraged the dancers in the dance marathon, as did thousands of other spectators.
York’s dancers, and other members of the campus’ THON committee, have participated in a variety of fundraising efforts throughout the year; activities have included canning weekends (soliciting donations), pasta dinners and a poker tournament. Students involved locally with THON met weekly throughout the year and the culmination of their efforts occurred during THON weekend.
To a slideshow of photos from the event, click here.
To see more photos from THON, go to www.facebook.com/PennStateYork.