Websters Dictionary defines the word Journey as “an act or instance of traveling from one place to another”.  Over the past 40 years, THON has certainly been on a journey.  It started from humble beginnings in the HUB Ballroom, to growing in the White Building and in Rec Hall, and now to its current home in the BJC.  It has gone from raising just over $2,000 in 1973 to $9.56 million in 2011.  But, aside from the larger journey of the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, there are all of the other journeys that have helped to shape THON as a whole; smaller journeys.  There have been tens of thousands of dancers and THON Volunteers throughout these past 40 years.  And, for all those journeys, there is a story.  These are the stories of THON and its volunteers throughout the years. 

Amy Eisenhauer, Dance Marathon 2000:

“I danced in 2000 and held positions on committees in 2001 & 2002.  Sunday morning early was the low point for me as a dancer - I was so tired, everything ached … basically, my motivation had reached a new low.. I had been standing resting my head on the top of the wooden tables that had been brought out for breakfast; I closed my eyes for a minute or two and when I opened them, there was a little bald child sitting next to me and her dad was standing in front of her next to me.  She asked me my name so I told her “My name is Amy … and what is your name?”  She said her name was Amanda and she was six years old.  She then proceeded to give me the biggest hug and kiss on the cheek and tell me I was her angel for dancing for her.  It humbled me so much, brought tears to my eyes and took my motivation to a new high to help get me through the last 12 hours of THON!  Seeing the kids running around with the biggest, most genuine smiles on their faces which shows how for this one weekend, it was as if they could put their illness aside and really have fun … be kids! That year, when I danced, we broke $3 million for the first time!
I still give to THON yearly and have planned multiple THON fundraising events throughout my alumni years. I am also a volunteer for the ASPCA and Humane Society.  I got married last year and instead of handing out favors to our guests, Jay (my husband) and I made a large donation to THON in lieu of favors.  I would say honesty is the diamond that represents me the most. I always tell people when they get involved in THON it’s not easy but the reward at the end is worth more than the work put in!  I also do not hesitate to tell people that dancing was one, if not the hardest, thing I’ve ever done in my life but also the most rewarding.  If I had to describe THON in one word it would be awe-inspiring.  To all the THON volunteers, keep up the hard work even when it gets tough … what you are doing pays off more than you’ll ever know!!

Monica Mazur (Nichols), Dance Marathon 2001:

I attended Penn State DuBois campus in 1999-2001. I had my first experience with THON in 1999 not ever hearing of it living outside Erie Pa. in High School I learned of the experience that “Would help find a cure for cancer and that’s our final answer.” I was bound and determined to help this special cause. The first year I supported our 2 dancers from our campus spent 46 hrs rooting them on. After being from a family where I had a Grandfather pass away of cancer that his first retirement check went to bury him, then a very young Aunt that I never had the opportunity to meet it was my turn to step in and help these families.

In 2001 I was then Monica Nichols a 21 year old that built a THON campaign for our little PSU DuBois campus coming from a town outside of Erie Pa. I had met with the High School I graduated from and wrote a letter to the school board, actively knocked on doors in the community, hit up businesses and then inspired my best friend from PSU Behrend of the THON experience, in 2001 she came to root me on then danced in 2002 after experiencing THON and its power to help.

 

My sharpest memory (which was pretty foggy at the time was at the end of my journey I was at the 44th hour and about ready to crash I had the support of friends and family, but when I thought my knees were going to give and then watching another BIG PSU football player not going to make it, I thought I was next, and then a little girl with blonde locks of hair holding her teddy bear, tugged on my shirt and said “keep dancin” I looked down at the little girl and picked her up in my arms and danced with her until the 48th hour as tears rolled down my face knowing that this little spirit had endured much more fatigue than one could ever imagine. The newspaper happened to catch the moment and documented it with a picture, to this day that picture is an inspiration as it hangs in my home.I have no idea where the little girl is today, but do know that every time I look at that picture I wonder where she is and what she has become.

 

After 2001 I transferred to Miami University of Ohio and graduated from there, but along with my wedding day and the birth of my son a few months back THON is memory that I hold close to my heart, it is amazing the power of hope it brings to little girls holding a teddy bear that endure much more that tell you to keep dancin.

 

HAPPY THON 2012!

Being a dancer in THON can only be described as the most fun you’ve never wanted to have. It’s painful and exhausting, yet emotional and exhilarating. When my partner needed to leave six hours in due to illness, I was forced to learn strength that weekend. I needed to put my most tenacious foot forward in order not to feel lonely in a sea of strangers, not to feel weak without my friend to lean on, and not to give up at my lowest moments. It was strength that carried me through all 48 hours.  

Over the last few years, I’ve remained connected to THON every weekend I see canners outside, staying strong in the cold, and doing it all for the kids. I remember the first canning weekend when I moved back to the area after being away for a few years, and how surprised and excited I was to see fellow Penn Staters in my home town. As the Communications Chairperson of the Central New Jersey Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association, I thought the best way for me to help support THON would be to try get in touch with the Rules and Regs chairperson prior to each canning weekend to get a list of places we Garden State alumni might happen to see canners, and publish it in our bi-weekly e-newsletters. Hopefully, other alum get the inspiration to take a few detours on their normal routes to meet canners, bring them hot chocolate, and most importantly, make a contribution.

To those participating for the first time this February, find your strength in dancing. Perhaps the reason my favorite THON memory is the 2002 Line Dance is because it helped pick me up when I was feeling down. Whether you are a dancer, morale, or even just observing, do the Line Dance.  Dance with the children. Just dance for the heck of it. It wasn’t until the last few hours that I realized that the pain goes away with the simple act of moving!