UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Athletics will continue its legacy of service in the 50th IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) held at the Bryce Jordan Center this weekend.
THON's 700+ dancers, including four student-athletes and nine members of the cheerleading and dance teams, will begin dancing/standing at 6 p.m. Friday and not sit down or sleep until Sunday at 4 p.m. to raise awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer in the largest student-run philanthropy in the world.
Penn State Athletics' Student Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) has seen its members play an integral part in THON's fight against pediatric cancer. Since 1998, SAAB members have raised more than $860,000 including over $272,000 since 2016. The proceeds from SAAB's service efforts go to THON's Four Diamonds Fund.
In addition to generating financial support for THON, SAAB also provides emotional support to its THON families - the Messina, Buckley and Bell families - throughout the year.
Those wishing to assist in SAAB's fundraising efforts and help a great cause by donating directly to THON can do so by visiting THON's fundraising page: https://bit.ly/2022SAABTHON
Four Penn State student-athletes will represent THON as dancers this weekend:
- Brianna O'Donnell (field hockey, junior, Lansdale, Pa.)
- Donate to Brianna's fundraising efforts: https://bit.ly/ODonnellFundraising
- Hannah Zemaitis (field hockey, senior, Camp Hill, Pa.)
- Donate to Hannah's fundraising efforts: https://bit.ly/ZemaitisFundraising
- Femi Awodesu (men's soccer, sophomore, Philadelphia, Pa.)
- Donate to Femi's fundraising efforts: https://bit.ly/AwodesuFundraising
- Ben Liscum (men's soccer, freshman, Lewisburg, Pa.)
- Donate to Ben's fundraising efforts: https://bit.ly/LiscumFundraising
In addition to SAAB's four student-athlete dancers, several teams will be dancing in the Pep Rally, which is one of the highlight events during THON, and student-athletes from numerous teams also will participate in the Athlete Hour. The football program will host THON families at the Lasch Building, in conjunction with the THON Adventure Program Saturday.
Also dancing in THON are four members of the Penn State Cheerleading squad (Veronica Echeverri, Rory Coughlin, Caitlyn Harms, Jules Vulcano) and five members of the Lionettes Dance Team (Sarah Restano, Karoline Imobersteg, Sonia Petrucci, Haley Danielson, Claire Spisak).
Cancer kills more children in the United States than asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and pediatric AIDs combined and the cumulative average cost of cancer treatment for one child is $500,000, according to THON.org.
Since 1977, THON has partnered with The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital with one goal in mind: conquering childhood cancer. To date, more than $190 million has been raised by THON, including nearly $11.7 million in 2020, and at least 95 percent of the funds raised at THON are donated directly to Four Diamonds.
Each year, more than 400 Penn State student organizations and approximately 16,500 student volunteers dedicate their time to THON, making it the largest student-run philanthropy in the world.
This year's THON marks the 14th year of the event in the Bryce Jordan Center, having previously being held in the HUB, White Building and Rec Hall.
Check back Penn State Athletics' social media accounts for additional coverage of SAAB's participation in THON during the weekend.
Viewers may watch the livestream at THON.org beginning at 6 p.m. on Feb. 18. It runs until the event concludes at 4 p.m. on Feb. 20.
For more information about Dance Marathon, go to www.THON.org.