University Park, Pa. -- Thousands of Penn State students from campuses across Pennsylvania will be headed to the Bryce Jordan Center Friday afternoon (Feb. 18) as Penn State's 48th annual Dance Marathon, known to most as THON, kicks off at the University Park campus.
More than 15,000 Penn State students are investing all of their energies FTK -- "For the Kids" -- toward the endgame of conquering pediatric cancer. From the 708 students selected for the honor of being THON dancers, who will be on their feet for 46 hours at the Bryce Jordan Center, to the thousands of students who helped them raise funds to earn that honor, there are still thousands more who are volunteering during THON weekend. They will boost dancers' morale, keep them fed and entertained, make sure they stay safe and even share the THON experience around the world via streaming video.
The Bryce Jordan Center will be open to visitors and supporters throughout the Feb. 18-20 weekend. However, access into the building traditionally becomes limited by late Sunday morning, as the arena reaches capacity for THON's finale -- the reveal of the total dollar amount raised. Money raised by THON benefits the Four Diamonds Fund and its pediatric cancer patients, families and researchers at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital who are working to find better treatments and, ultimately, cures for forms of cancer that afflict children.
"It’s hard to fathom the collective impact of THON," said Graham Spanier, president of Penn State. "Since 1977, it has raised nearly $70 million for The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children’s Hospital. Its impact on the participants and supporters is also profound."
Those wishing to visit THON should review parking and transit changes announced for the University Park campus, which begin at 5 p.m. this evening (Feb. 17).
To experience THON remotely from its kickoff at 6 p.m.Eastern time Friday through its conclusion at 4 p.m. Sunday, after which the overall total is announced -- or to donate toward the fight against pediatric cancer, go to http://thon.org online.