Over 10,000 students packed the Bryce Jordan Center on Penn State's campus.
Penn State students have been tip toeing and dancing for more than 5 hours, and they have 41 one more to go, all to help families dealing with pediatric cancer.
They stood on their feet and will remain standing with no sleeping, no sitting and no caffeine.It's a test of endurance to raise money for children battling pediatric cancer.
"It's a phenomenal sacrifice that they do, standing on their feet for 46 hours just to show solidarity for all of these children fighting cancer," said Suzanne Graney of the Four Diamonds Fund.
"It's completely surreal," said Emily McConnell. "I don't think it's completely sunk in yet, until an hour standing and I realize I won't sit down. But it's just shear adrenaline going through my body. I couldn't be more excited."
It has been a tough couple of months for this campus with the sex abuse scandal and the passing of Joe Paterno. But students say this is what Penn State is about, giving back and philanthropy.Michelle Greene from Media, Pa. is one of the 700 dancers selected who will test her endurance.
"This entire event you will see is put on by students. This is really what students are about and just being here for great cause in addition to their education. It's not just about football," said Michelle Greene. "We do things as one student body, as one united group and that is what THON is; 15,000 students coming together to support families, 300 families, this weekend which is absolutely amazing," said Elaine Tanella, THON chairperson. Families like the Beyers. 5 years ago Doctors found a tumor on 10 year old Cora's pituitary gland. It's been struggle emotionally but not financially. THON and the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital filled the gaps insurance wouldn't cover. "The prescriptions and the things you have to be ready for when your child starts treatment can be very overwhelming, and to know you are not responsible for any of those co-pays is a tremendous relief," said Steph Beyer. Millions of dollars have been raised since the event first started in 1973. All money raised goes to the Four Diamonds Fund and Penn State's Hershey Children's Hospital.The students are now trying to build the pot, and as the saying here goes, it's for the kids.
"People say 'We are Penn State. THON is not something we do, it is something we are'," says Suzanne Graney, Four Diamonds Fund Executive Director.