Angelique Bacon-Woodard, the University Learning Centers’ director of supplemental instruction, was brought to tears as she described the benefits Penn State’s IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) has on families of The Four Diamonds Fund. Those families — and their children who have pediatric cancer — receive care from Penn State Children’s Hospital through the fundraising efforts of Penn State students involved with THON.
“Everything about THON weekend is great, but seeing the Four Diamonds children and their families let go of some of their troubles for the day is the highlight,” said Bacon-Woodard. “That, to me, is priceless because in the end THON is about giving these kids a chance to have a better life.”
Bacon-Woodard became emotional speaking about the hundreds of student volunteers who continue to show their support, passion and dedication for helping these children and families that most of those students never get to meet.
“These families are blown away by the love the Penn State students have for complete strangers,” said Bacon-Woodard. “The year round commitment and the selflessness that the students exhibit for THON reminds me of why many of us need to stay in education and continue to model the way, mentor, support and guide these students in any way we can.”
Bacon-Woodard attended her first THON when it was in the White Building out of curiosity to see what it was about; over the years, she watched the event grow its way out of Rec Hall and now enjoys it from the Bryce Jordan Center. In 2004-05, she was selected to be an administrative fellow to the vice president for Student Affairs, where she worked closely with the THON 2005 Overall Committee. Today she is a co-advisor for Ohana THON, the newest fundraising organization for the student-run philanthropy.
Bacon-Woodard said she was amazed by the leadership qualities of the students she worked with in 2004-05.
“I wanted to see how THON worked behind the scenes, and it was an incredible year to watch students grow personally and professionally and take an idea and make everything come to fruition,” she said. “Even with the pitfalls, the students would rally together and move forward; it was awe-inspiring.”
After touring Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Bacon-Woodard said she came to appreciate THON in a new aspect, explaining that if it weren’t for the students at Penn State, The Four Diamonds Fund wouldn’t exist in the capacity it does today.
“The Fund makes this disease bearable for these families and brings about a sense of hope to these families by providing them with counseling, meals, gas money or whatever is needed,” she said. “It is those people at Hershey, particularly the doctors and social workers, which are making a difference in the day-to-day struggles of these families, and while they may feel cursed that their child is battling this disease, they also feel very blessed somehow to be connected to The Four Diamonds Fund; this whole process wouldn’t exist without the students.”
Since 2005, Bacon-Woodard has hosted a winter retreat at her home in Centre County every December for the current THON Overall Committee, and said she will be visiting THON this year in the less-attended hours when the dancers need the support the most.
“However you possibly can, it is about simply supporting the students involved as the THON year goes by,” she said. “I am amazed by the hundreds of selfless and incredibly caring students that are so committed and passionate about trying to make a difference in the lives of other.”
Matthew Restall, professor of Latin American History, encountered THON through a different and unexpected way. In 2000, just two years after he started teaching at Penn State, his then 5-year old daughter, Sophie, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Look for details of his story in this Thursday’s (Feb. 19) Faculty/Staff Newswire.
The Penn State students of THON 2009 invite all Penn State faculty and staff to attend THON Feb. 20-22 at the Bryce Jordan Center to experience the event and learn what Penn State student volunteers are doing to help children and families fighting pediatric cancer.