“Brighten Every Journey”

“Three seemingly simple words to describe an immeasurable, unforgettable, life-changing year.   Everyone’s life is a journey.   No one journey is more important, or more special than another.  No story is the same. There are different pains, different struggles, and different joys.  Therein lies one of the clearest references in the theme - the journey of every child, student, volunteer, family, doctor, researcher, nurse, social worker, specialist and that of THON itself…we are all on a unique journey in the fight against pediatric cancer.

 What makes THON beautiful in the eyes of so many is that it is one story crafted from the threads of others’.   THON captivates students, motivates families and astonishes the world.  When a person looks back at THON they think of smiling kids, enthusiastic canners, and a color-filled Bryce Jordan Center brightening the drab month of February.  THON is a ray of light that illuminates hopes and dreams.

 Childhood cancer casts a darkness over everyone affected by it. For the parents who have to endure this disease along with their children, to the donor who gets a THONvelope from their niece, THON is here to Brighten Every Journey Every single moment takes you in for a whirlwind and changes you forever, and for the better.  These kids are our inspiration, and we walk side by side with them throughout each stage of their journey. We allow them to be children again. We let them be the heroes and princesses that they are.

 THON also brightens the journey of every student volunteer who spends time learning the joy of philanthropy. Our volunteers give so much of themselves, but also receive so much from these kids and their families, who are our source of strength, our inspiration, our heroes. They remind us every day what life is about: embracing every moment and never giving up. This organization’s influence now extends far beyond the limits of Penn State campuses to other dance marathons around the country and to the hundreds of thousands of Penn State Alumni around the world.

 Brighten Every Journey is a goal we strive every day to achieve and, in return, each of our journeys has been brightened by THON. Each year, students choose to again choose to follow in the footsteps of the students who have come before and continue the journey that started long ago. THON started out in the HUB and raising $2,000 with 39 dancer couples to moving to the Bryce Jordan Center raising $9.5 million dollars with 708 dancers, and THON’s journey is not yet done.

Everyone is entitled to a past, and a present, and we’re here to help create a future. Everything we’re doing will make the journey of those involved with THON even brighter than it has been in years past.   We are committed to raising money for better research and more advanced treatment and to provide unconditional love and care. This is what brings light and hope to what seems like a dark, uncertain experience for each family. No matter where their journey may lead, no matter how long we may have the privilege of seeing their smile, we promise to brighten their journey in some way. We look to bring awareness to this horrific disease and to highlight the journey that will one day lead us to dance in celebration.

 This year is defined by our strides to further illuminate the path set before everyone tied to THON.  We will celebrate our 40 years of brightening every Four Diamond family’s journey and will commit ourselves to continuing this unwavering love and support to these families always and forever.  We believe we can make a difference in the life of a child, and the lives of these families.  We believe in their fight. We believe we can Brighten Every Journey.”

The above piece was written by the THON 2012 Overall Committee about the newest theme, Brighten Every Journey.  We want to know what you think about the theme and the newly revealed corresponding logo that was just revealed yesterday at Family Carnival.  What does it mean to you to Brighten Every Journey and how do you plan to uphold the theme and it’s message throughout the year?  Let us know your thoughts, feelings, and opinions on the theme, logo, and how they relate to you at stories@thon.org.