THON 2015 is just two days away! After fundraising, participating in canning weekends and planning events all year to raise money in an effort to win the battle against pediatric cancer, over 700 dancers will walk into the Bryce Jordan Center (BJC) and dance for 46 hours to celebrate this year’s accomplishments.
My fellow intern Sophia previously wrote on THON and what it’s all about in her 101 of THON post, so if you haven’t read it, please check it out!
While I would have loved to be one of those dancers on the floor of the BJC this weekend, I have the opportunity to live vicariously through one of my best friends who has the opportunity to dance this year as one-half of an independent dancer couple.
My friend, Michelle and her dancer partner and friend, Justin raised over $10,000 for the For Diamonds Fund through canning weekends and sending out THONvelopes to their friends and family.
Michelle and Justin will not only dance for 46 hours straight, but will do so without sleeping and will be standing the entire time.
It’s been rewarding to be go through this process with Michelle, because she has wanted to dance since our freshman year. Now that it is our senior year, it’s great to see her celebrate all of her accomplishments with THON.
We met at Penn State Mont Alto, where she was a Canning Captain during our sophomore year. When we transferred up to University Park, she was a committee member for the Rules and Regulations committee and this year she is on the Communications committee.
Now that she is dancing, Michelle has changed her eating and sleeping habits (she must sleep at least 8 hours per night) to prepare for 46 hours of no dancing and no sleeping.
Since last week, we have been shopping for her necessities and other things she would need for the weekend and it’s been so fun!
Her family and friends have sent her dancer mail to keep her motivated during the tough times throughout the weekend as well.
Following THON Weekend, I will be interviewing Michelle on her THON experience so stay tuned for In the eyes of a THON Dancer Part 2 and if you’re in State College this weekend, come and be a part of the phenomenal, life-changing experience that is THON!
For the Glory…
P.S: What to know what it was like dancing in THON? Check out Michelle’s post-THON interview here!
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