UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State Dance Marathon, known affectionately as THON and the world’s largest student-run philanthropy, kicks off THON Weekend 2013 on Friday, Feb. 15, at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center for 46 hours of consecutive dancing in support of children, families and researchers fighting pediatric cancer. Midway through the event, at 6:45 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, Feb. 16, THON is inviting everyone, everywhere to take part in “Dance With Us,” the first global coordinated line dance for charity, to raise awareness of pediatric cancer.
THON Weekend is a celebration of the efforts behind more than 15,000 Penn State students who are dedicated to increasing funds and awareness for pediatric cancer. THON’s sole beneficiary is the Four Diamonds Fund, based out of Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Donated funds support innovative and sustainable pediatric cancer research, assists families with medical bills that insurance cannot cover and provides priceless emotional support. In its 41-year history, THON has raised more than $89 million for Four Diamonds and is looking to reach $100 million raised in the near future.
New for 2013, Dance With Us is a fun and interactive call to action for people who are not at Penn State’s University Park campus to get involved in the THON Weekend dance festivities. The program provides the opportunity for participants, no matter their location, to dance along with the THON dancers and experience spirit, energy and atmosphere of THON while supporting the fight against pediatric cancer.
“We anticipate this program to inspire line dances and viewing parties for THON Weekend across the globe,” said Will Martin, overall chairperson for THON. “This will allow Penn State fans and pediatric cancer fighters to feel like they are in the Bryce Jordan Center from any location.”
A 30-second instructional line dance video will be released on THON’s official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pennstateTHON on Wednesday, Jan. 16, offering a tutorial for participants to learn the lyrics and moves in advance of THON Weekend. At 6:45 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, Feb. 16, participants from around the world will be able to participate in the line dance and join dancers at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center via live stream on the Facebook page.
THON is encouraging fans and supporters to submit videos and images of their line dance performances before and after THON Weekend. Videos and photos can be submitted via THON’s Facebook page. The best videos will be featured on the official Dance With Us page on www.thon.org/DanceWithUs.
For more questions on how to get involved with Dance With Us, please contact THON Overall Public Relations Chairperson Cat Powers at public.relations@thon.org. For more information, visit www.THON.org/DanceWithUs.