Penn State is a place where many great things happen, but nothing we do at Penn State outshines the 46-hour Dance Marathon (THON).
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this year’s THON will likely raise more than $10 million for the Four Diamonds Fund to battle pediatric cancer at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey and will surpass the $200 million all-time mark.
Those are staggering numbers particularly when you consider…
Every aspect of THON is organized and operated by Penn State students all year long. The power of their example has become a movement of similar initiatives at other universities and Mini-THONS at K-12 schools across the country.
THON is a shining, selfless example of our students’ leadership meeting the needs of others. When Penn State students involved in THON finish college, they will know that they saved lives and allowed children to fulfill the destiny they were born to attain.
A visit to Penn State’s Children’s Hospital a few years ago really illustrated the challenge in a new way. The director of the Four Diamonds Fund, Suzanne Graney, was asked about the survival rate for pediatric cancer.
“Four out of five children survive,” she replied.
That night after returning home, I passed my kids’ bedrooms. We are blessed to be parents to five children. Stopping for a moment, I paused to think about that answer… four out of five…
If we could only save four out of five, who could we possibly bear to lose? For those four children in this country who are saved, there is a child who will not make it. Every loss of a child strikes that home with a sorrow that no words can convey.
Penn State students have resolved that nothing less than perfection will do. So, students dance, raise money and do every possible job from sales to logistics to sanitation for THON all in the pursuit of perfection.
But beating cancer is a long journey. If you listen to the stories of these children and their families, you will understand the power of THON and the Four Diamonds Fund.
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the burdensome journey is an incredible weight to bear. Families watch their child fight to live. Triumphs and setbacks await them, all while looking for the rays of hope to light their path. The toll is physical and emotional.
And for many families a cancer diagnosis presents a financial challenge. Parents, lying awake in the darkest of nights, pray for their child’s health but also wonder if they can afford what is needed to give them that chance.
Penn State students and THON are answers to those prayers. How incredible is that?
Because of THON and the Four Diamonds Fund these families have their costs covered to give their child a chance. The treatments, prescriptions, hotel stays to be near their child, gas cards for their travel, counseling and much more are all covered.
Penn State students give their time, energy and emotions, both the highs and lows. They endure late nights all year long. And when THON weekend comes, they endure emotional and physical fatigue.
But every one of them will tell you that what they endure is nothing compared to what the kids face. And that’s why the do it: For The Kids (#FTK).
This Saturday night at 7 p.m., ABC6 in Philadelphia and stations from New York City to Pittsburgh will broadcast “THON — 50 Years For The Kids” and covering the history and hope with live coverage from THON. The 30-minute special will air locally on WATM (ABC 23), as well as on WPVI (ABC6) Philadelphia, which is producing the program; WABC (ABC7) New York; WTAE (ABC4) Pittsburgh; WHTM (ABC 27) Harrisburg/Lancaster/Lebanon/York; WNEP2 Antenna TV Wilkes-Barre/Scranton; and streaming on www.6ABC.com.
In a cynical world, tune in to be inspired by our students. Respond to the commitment shown by these stations by getting everyone you know to tune in and do OUR part #FTK by making a contribution at THON.org.
(Editor’s note: Jay Paterno is an executive producer of the program.)
Ten years ago I was asked to speak at THON and told the students, “If you want to see the true meaning of WE ARE….come to THON.” WE ARE is an idea that is more than words.
This weekend our students once again remind all of us to LIVE the selfless ideals of WE ARE….#FTK
