Eleven years ago this weekend I danced in the Penn State dance marathon. It is still one of the coolest things I have ever done in my life. Penn State has been doing THON for decades with the purpose of raising money to fight childhood cancer. The fundraising each year culminates in the actual dance marathon when, for one entire weekend, forty-six hours (forty-eight when I did it), the dancers stay up – no sleeping and no sitting.
THON is the simply the best thing Penn State does. You could argue it is the best thing any group of college students anywhere do since it is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. To learn more about THON, check out this article: Penn State THON Ready to Go. 
I hope kids suffering with cancer are encouraged this weekend.
I hope lots of money is raised and progress towards a cure for cancer continues.
For the kids!
David Hershey 