THON weekend, Feb. 20-22, was a record-breaking time for the members of the Penn State York THON Committee who raised $24,821.18 for the fight against pediatric cancer, breaking the campus record of $22,500.53 set in 2013. York’s dancers, Samantha Glancey, 19, of Camp Hill, and Danielle Olson, 21, of York, danced two nights away and completed the 46-hour Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park.
York’s total was a part of the $13,026,653 raised for the Four Diamonds at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. The funds are used to cover the treatment costs for pediatric cancer patients as well as support cancer research. This is the 43rd year for THON.
View photos from the event here.
THON weekend is the culminating event in the yearlong fundraising effort. The York THON Committee held events throughout the year, including canning weekends (soliciting donations) at several locations in and around the York area, helping with a poker tournament, sponsoring a blood drive with the American Red Cross, a Fall Fest and a holiday party. Students involved in THON met weekly throughout the year and made the trip to University Park to cheer on York’s dancers and all those who are dancing For The Kids (FTK) during the 46-hour event.
Yacayra Morales, a sophomore at Penn State York majoring in psychology, is the York THON primary chair, and has led the group throughout the year with the help of other co-chairs, captains and students interested in finding a cure for pediatric cancer.
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. The York campus sponsors Autumn Foller, 11, who is in treatment for leukemia and Ava Hagens, 7, who battled acute lymphoblastic leukemia and is in remission.