The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, commonly referred to as THON, is a two-day Dance Marathon that takes place every February at the Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania, United States with the purpose of raising money to combat pediatric cancer. It was started in 1973 by the university's Interfraternity Council, and in its first year, more than $2,000 was raised, with 39 couples dancing for 30 hours straight. Today, it is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, by involvement and revenue with $10,686,924.83 having been raised at the 2012 event. The money that is raised is donated to The Four Diamonds Fund, a charity devoted to defeating pediatric cancer through research and caring for patients at the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. More than 15,000 students get involved in the event each year, organizing it and raising funds with the rallying cry, "FOR THE KIDS!".
Read more about Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon: History, Events Throughout The Year, THON Weekend, Student Involvement, Committees
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“So little time we live in Time,
And we learn all so painfully,
That we may spare this hour’s term
To practice for Eternity.”
—Robert Penn Warren (1905–1989)
“All oppression creates a state of war.”
—Simone De Beauvoir (1908–1986)
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And pierce the deep wood’s woven shade,
And dance upon the level shore?”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
“... marathon swimming is the most difficult physical, intellectual and emotional battleground I have encountered, and each time I win, each time I touch the other shore, I feel worthy of any other challenge life has to offer.”
—Diana Nyad (b. 1949)