Something Bigger Than Sports: THON

I'd like to take a minute to write a little bit about something that is more important and precious to me than any sporting event, team, or player. It is the Penn State Dance Marathon, known by many simply as THON.

WHAT IS IT?
THON is a fundraising event for the Four Diamonds Fund. Each year "dancers" participate and cannot sleep or sit for the length of the event (most recently lasting 46 consecutive hours). THON 2008 will start at 6pm on February 22nd and end at 4pm on February 24th. The event will be held for the second time at the Bryce Jordan Center on the Penn State campus in University Park, PA.

In order to keep the dancers awake and properly stretched, organizers develop a new "line dance" each year (view the 2007 dance here). The line dance combines words and a variety of easy dance moves. The line dance usually includes that year's THON theme and logo, forms of Penn State spirit and athletics, incorporates U.S. and world events over the last year, and most importantly emphasizes that the event is For The Kids.

FOR THE KIDS (FTK)
The backbone of the event is knowing that the proceeds benefit Four Diamonds children and their families. The Fund helps to pay for a majority of the medical costs of the children affected by pediatric cancer. In addition, some of the money is used to further cancer research or to erect brand new buildings for cancer patients and research at the Hershey Medical Center.

THE FOUR DIAMONDS
The Four Diamonds Fund was started in 1972 by the Millard family after their son, Chris, passed away from a form of pediatric cancer. The name comes from a story written by Chris Millard about the Four Diamonds, or virtues, needed to battle cancer. The Four Diamonds are: COURAGE, WISDOM, HONESTY, and STRENGTH. Any child being treated at Penn State's Hershey Medical Center is able to utilize the fund. The Fund fully covers all medical costs not covered by the family's insurance. Basically, FAMILIES NEVER SEE A BILL.

FUNDRAISING
Penn State student organizations and clubs raise money for the event starting October 1st. Donations are accepted until a few hours before the end of THON weekend. There are a variety ways students raise money, but the most notable is "canning". There are a designated number of weekends that students may "can". The students will travel hours to a city and stand outside of stores and along streets (with permission, of course) to raise money for the kids. Other forms of fundraising include: online donations, pledge books, solicitation letters, and events (such as talent shows or pizza sales).

A NOT-SO-BRIEF HISTORY
The Penn State Dance MaraTHON was started in 1973 by the Interfraternity Council. That year's event served as a competition and charity fundraiser. At the conclusion of the 30 hour event, $300 was given to the winning couple. In addition, the event raised $2,000+ for the Butler County Association of Retarded Citizens. A year later the event was expanded to 48 hours. The selected charity for 1974 was the American Heart Association. They received $10,825 from the 1974 Dance Marathon. The Marathon switched charities again in 1975 (Easter Seals Sociey - $12,000+) and 1976 ($15,282 - Muscular Dystrophy Association). In 1977 Penn State's Dance Marathon selected a small charity known as the Four Diamonds Fund to receive the proceeds for that year. The proceeds have gone to the Four Diamonds Fund every year since 1977.

Dance Marathon's held from 1973-1978 were held in the Hetzel Union Building (HUB) ballroom. The event in 1979 moved to the White Building gymnasium and raised $72,132 for the Four Diamonds Fund. In 1988 the event raised $297,311 and began to be known and recognized as THON. In 1990 the event became officially known as the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon and raised $671,572. THON 1992 is one of the more notorious Dance Marathon's. It was the first THON to break $1 million raised for the Four Diamonds Fund. The $2 million mark was breached during THON 1998 ($2,001,831.51). The event outgrew the White Building and was moved to Rec Hall in 1999, where Penn State basketball, volleyball, wrestling, and gymnastics events were held. Over $3 million was raised for THON 2000 ($3,076,983.97). The numbers continued to rise. THON 2005 ($4,122,483.65) and THON 2006 ($4,214,748.18) raised more than $4 million for pediatric cancer research.

The event that took place last year was the biggest to date, in more ways than one. THON moved out of Rec Hall and into the Bryce Jordan Center, a 15,261 seat arena where numerous sporting events and concerts are held annually. THON didn't miss a beat last year and those involved were able to raise $5,240,385.17 for the Four Diamonds Fund. THON 2007 was the 35th anniversary of the Penn State Dance Marathon and the 30th year that the events proceeds went to the Four Diamonds Fund.

THON 2008 logo and theme.

The event has grown to well over 700 dancers, 3,000 organizers, and 10,000+ involved. In THON's 35 year history, the event has raised close to (if not more than) $50 million dollars, a majority of which has gone to the Four Diamonds Fund: Conquering Childhood Cancer.

TOTALS FOR LAST 5 YEARS
2003 - $3,600,793.18
2004 - $3,547,715.48
2005 - $4,122,483.65
2006 - $4,214,748.18
2007 - $5,240,385.17

Total Money Raised for The Four Diamonds Fund, 2003-2007: $20,726,125.66

Revealing of the total amount raised at THON 2007.

END NOTE
This is truly an amazing event, one that I wish everyone could witness. It is really hard to put into words. You can view videos of the main event, such as the revealing of the final total or each year's "line dance", on YouTube (just search for Penn State THON). I have been to the past four THON's and will be returning to Penn State for THON 2008. A majority of the bloggers here are involved with THON. This year, it is an honor to have two bloggers dancing (E and TAS). Steely McDonati danced in 2005.

Want to send a letter to E or TAS at THON? You can do so through this link. Your message will be printed out and handed to them during Mail Call on Sunday morning. Appreciate what they write here? Want to wish them luck? Send them dancer mail! Make usre you address it to Eric Wertz or Tom Sabbatelli.

I have added the THON mission statement to the right sidebar as well as a link to donate to the cause. Also, to get an idea of the magnitude and importance of the event, view these videos: THON 2008 - Promo Video, Heroes, & Road to THON. Thank you for taking the time and reading about something completely unrelated to the site. I urge you to research the cause further. You won't regret it.

To learn more about THON, visit www.thon.org or en.wikipedia.org/wiki/THON
To learn more about the Four Diamonds Fund, visit www.hmc.psu.edu/fourdiamonds/
To donate to THON, visit secure.ddar.psu.edu/Thon/