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SAAB Auction to Benefit THON

Nov. 22, 2010

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Twenty-six items ranging from an autographed 400-win football program to a Winter Weekend in Happy Valley have been put up for auction by Penn State's Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB). The proceeds from the auction will benefit the Penn State Dance Marathon (THON), the largest student-run philanthropy in the world.

Each year SAAB continues to be a great supporter of THON, raising money for The Four Diamonds Fund and Hershey Medical Center helping kids fight cancer. Last year alone, the Penn State community raised more than $8.5 million dollars adding to the overall total of $69 million. The campus-wide event is an annual tradition for Penn State students and the 2011 Dance Marathon will not be any different.

This year, SAAB's efforts will continue to support the Messina family and the Four Diamonds Foundation. Nine year-old Isabella Messina, has already battled cancer twice, and continues to be an inspiration to everyone.

"The SAAB online auction of sports memorabilia is an annual event for our organization in which we try to raise funds for THON," said Alyssa D'Errico. "Many Penn State people know what THON means to this university but those that don't it is the largest student run philanthropy in the world. The common theme is For the Kids and to fight pediatric cancer. We are aiming to double last year's total of $6,320.70 since we have huge items JoePa's 400th win autographed game-day program."

The auction items are one-of-a-kind and represent the greatness that Penn State athletics brings to the community. An autographed football by none other than Joe Paterno is up for grabs next to a backstage VIP session with the Penn State Lionettes. Among the items is a Penn State Fencing sabre used by the two-time national champion team and an authentic foil used in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. No matter if you are a baseball fan, lacrosse fan, football fan or a gymnastics fan, there is an item on this list for you.

For a complete list of auction items and to bid on your favorite Penn State memorabilia please click

Be sure to visit the site and bid soon as the auction will close Tuesday Nov. 23 at 3:00 p.m.