YORK, Pa — This weekend, thousands of people will fill the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University Park in a show of support for children and families who have been affected by childhood cancer. Among the dancers at this year’s Penn State THON are third-year student Theres Alfano and first-year student Zachary Winters, who will represent Penn State York Benefiting THON by standing for 46 hours straight, surrounded by a community focused on eliminating childhood cancer.
Reasons to get involved
“My sixth grade math teacher’s son went through Four Diamonds,” Winters said about the first time he heard about THON. “And then my high school had a Mini-THON, and that was an amazing event. That’s when I knew I wanted to do THON as soon as I came to Penn State. I didn't think I was going to be a dancer, but I just wanted to be a part of an organization that helps families fight childhood cancer together.”
The fight against cancer is personal for Alfano, a three-time cancer survivor who will celebrate five years cancer-free on the final day of THON. She said she's also inspired by a neighbor’s son who died of cancer at three years old.
Both Alfano and Winters will be dancing to honor the memory of Dakota Dixon, whose family was paired with Penn State York Benefiting THON through Four Diamonds. Dakota passed away in May 2024, but the group maintains a relationship with the Dixon Family, who will attend THON this year.
Preparing for the dance
Standing for 46 hours is physically and mentally taxing, something both dancers say they’re doing their best to prepare for by cutting out caffeine and keeping up their physical fitness.
“I’ve been doing a lot of leg workouts in the gym,” Winters said.
In addition to the Dixon family, about 15 people from Penn State York will make the trip to the Bryce Jordan Center THON weekend to support the dancers.
This will be Winters first time attending THON, but Alfano has previously gone as a spectator.
“It was a very humbling experience,” Alfano remembered. “Especially when they do Heroes Hour. You need to be prepared, because there is not a dry eye in the BJC when they show the families. It’s very emotional.”
Small campus support
Both dancers say they’re looking forward to having the small campus support they enjoy every day at Penn State York while at THON.
“We’re very lucky to be on a small campus where we know the people involved in Penn State York Benefiting THON,” Alfano said. “We get to talk to each other more than just for club meetings. That’s one thing I love about our campus, that it feels like a family.”
Campus involvement in THON goes beyond just the weekend of the dance marathon; there are fundraisers throughout the year, including car washes, collaborations with local restaurants, and a pie-in-the-face event. The annual Maddie Hill basketball game raises money for Four Diamonds in honor of Hill, a Penn State York student who died in June 2016 after battling cancer three times. Hill was a Four Diamonds child and a member of Penn State York Benefiting THON during her time on campus.
As they prepare for THON weekend, both dancers said hey’re focused on the cause, and not the toll a weekend full of no sitting or sleeping will have on them.
“I would love for there to be an end of cancer,” Alfano said. “If I can be a part of that end, that would be wonderful.”