MEDIA, Pa. — For Penn State students across Pennsylvania, one year of fundraising to support children fighting pediatric cancer culminated Feb. 20-22 in a 46-hour, no-sleeping, no-sitting dance marathon at University Park in the Bryce Jordan Center.
Penn State THON raised $18,841,726.53 for Four Diamonds, an organization at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital that covers 100% of all medical expenses related to cancer care not covered by insurance. Penn State Brandywine raised $36,348.43, exceeding last year’s $27,826.27.
Students Charles Carlini, Morgan Gallagher and Joey Pretti had the honor of representing the campus as dancers during THON Weekend, which included no sleeping, no sitting and a whole lot of dancing for 46 hours straight until the $18.8 million reveal on Sunday afternoon.
Charles Carlini
Carlini, a first-year communication arts and sciences major, said the kids and families he was standing for kept him motivated and on his feet.
“When I was dancing, I reminded myself that I’m not doing this for me; I’m doing this for kids and families who fight battles every single day that are far more difficult than a weekend on my feet,” he said. “If they can keep going, then so can I.”
Morgan Gallagher
Gallagher, a third-year business major with a focus in marketing, explained why she danced and what pushed her to keep going during the 46 hours.
“During THON Weekend, I danced for purpose and gratitude. There were moments when I was exhausted, but none of what I was feeling compares to what kids and families dealing with childhood cancer face every day,” she said.
Joey Pretti
Pretti, a second-year health policy and administration major, danced for THON for a second time. He noted his reasoning behind dancing and what kept him going throughout the weekend.
“I wanted to dance for the kids and for the families supported by Four Diamonds. They don’t get to tap out when things get uncomfortable. They don’t get breaks from hospital visits or treatments,” he said. “If they can show this strength every single day, then I can stand on my feet for 46 hours straight, and I did.”