Support THON This Weekend

On a topic completely unrelated to hockey, I'd like to point out that this weekend is Penn State's annual THON.  As a Penn State alum, this is a cause very near and dear to my heart.  I was deeply involved during my time in State College. 

For those unfamiliar with the cause, this weekend's events are the culmination of yearlong efforts to support the Four Diamonds Fund and the families of children afflicted with pediatric cancer. 

THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the entire world.  Over the course of the year, money and awareness are raised through multiple events including a 5k in the fall, a family carnival in December, and canning weekends, during which students infiltrate intersections and shopping centers throughout the Northeast to collect spare change in coffee cans.  THON weekend itself is a 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon held each February.  The mission of THON is ultimately to conquer childhood cancer.


Thousands of volunteers on 14 committees plan and execute the weekend's events, while 700 dancers elect to forgo sitting and sleeping for 46 hours FOR THE KIDS (the THON mantra).  At the end of the weekend, the fundraising total is revealed.  The figure grows exponentially each year.  Last year's total was $7,490,133.87. 

THON is a truly life changing experience, and this post does not come close to doing it justice.  I've never been prouder to be a Penn State alum.  I encourage everyone to visit thon.org to learn more about THON and its history, to donate to the cause, and to watch the live webcast this weekend.