Four Diamonds families also made their way through the human tunnel on their way to the Bryce Jordan Center to start THON 2008. Photo by Andy Colwell. For a small sampling of photos from Friday, visit http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/1596 online; from Saturday, visit http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/1597 online; and from Sunday, including the total, visit http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/1598 online. For photos from THON Express, a 135- mile run that began at 6 p.m. on Feb. 21 at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, and ended on Feb. 22 at the Bryce Jordan Center, visit http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/1595 online.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

More dancers go through the human tunnel. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

Dancers were greeted enthusiastically, with signs, crepe paper and even crossed swords. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

After exiting the human tunnel, dancers made their way down a set of steps to their entrance into the Jordan Center. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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Dancers entered the Bryce Jordan Center through a downstairs entrance. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

Members of various THON committees continued the human tunnel indoors as dancers made their way to the dance floor. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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The theme of this year's THON is Hope Finds a Way. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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Children of Four Diamonds families are among the most popular people around during THON. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

Leading up to the start of THON, the floor was dark and dancers were seated on the floor as they were entertained. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

The first three people in this set didn't make much sense on their own, but when they stood together, it was clear they were dancing "FTK" -- For the Kids. Photo by Annemarie Mountz

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

Before THON officially got under way, dancers were able to sit for some pre-THON entertainment. NOTA, None Of The Above, got things started with "Where in the World is Carmen SanDiego?" Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

Several people carried flags from around the world during NOTA's performance. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

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The Penn State International Dance Ensemble was the second group to perform for the pre-THON entertainment. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

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The Nittany Lion did dances from around the world as the final pre-THON performer. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

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The THON committee chairs were introduced just before THON began. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

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One of the Four Diamonds kids grabbed the microphone from overall chair Dan Cocco. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

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Dancers begin to stand up as the final countdown begins. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

And they're under way. THON started promptly at 6 p.m. for the 46-hour event. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

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THON Meal time takes place in shifts, by dancer number. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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Burger King meals came complete with crowns. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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This Four Diamonds Family member was "glued" to someone's leg. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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Orchesis was one of the first performers for THON 2008. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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Go Go Gadget was the first band to perform for THON. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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In addition to dancing, various activities are planned throughout THON to keep the dancers busy and alert. On Friday evening, one activitiy was cookie decorating. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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Four Diamonds kids always get lots of attention during THON. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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The mop brigade gets ready to spring into action to clean the floors. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2007

THON supporters learned the line dance in the stands while the Morale captains went through the steps on stage. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

Four Diamonds child Joey Setlock answers a question from Penn State President Graham B. Spanier as his mother looks on during a taping of Penn State Universe, a show that will air on the Big Ten Network. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

Penn State President Graham B. Spanier interviews a THON dancer for Penn State Universe, a show that will air on the Big Ten Network. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

Mike Meyer, a 1999 Penn State graduate with a degree in counselor education, stands in the back row, left, of his middle school class from Raleigh, N.C. The group posed with Penn State President Graham B. Spanier, back row center. The photo will be sent to Iraq for the father of one of the students. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

Another group poses for a photo with Penn State President Graham B. Spanier. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

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A Four Diamonds family member chased one of the dancers with a water gun -- always a favorite pasttime for the kids attending THON. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

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Dancers slide down powder-covered mats for a quick, 10-second massage. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

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A dancer is massaged by a host of THON volunteers. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

More dancers take a turn sliding down the mats for a 10-second massage. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

The massage team chants for the next group of THON dancers to hit the mats for a quick massage. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

There was a steady stream of dancers taking turns sliding down the powder-covered mats for a quick massage. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

The 10 seconds dancers spend sliding down the mats and getting a massage are the only moments they get to rest their feet during the 46-hour THON. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

Massage organizers count down -- four seconds left in this particular round of massages. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

THON volunteers work to massage several dancers at once. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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This dancer was enjoying his 10 seconds of relaxation and massage. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

The dancers were still going strong in the early hours of Saturday morning, as the band Lemonsoul prepared to take the stage. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Lemonsoul took the stage about 12:30 a.m. Saturday. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

Senior Moraler Deb Kilanowska, left, blows bubbles with dancer Julia Ritchey, a freshman dancing for Penn State Mont Alto. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

This dancer shows off his spaghetti and marshmallow creation during one of the late-night activities Friday at THON. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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Using marshmallows and spaghetti like Tinker Toys, dancers create structures during one of the many planned activities during THON. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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One of the Four Diamonds Family children concentrates hard on her marshmallow-and-spaghetti sculpture. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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This group passed the time playing ball late Friday evening. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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Time again for the line dance. All dancers turn their attention to the Morale captains on stage as they do the steps in this year's line dance. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

A sea of arms is visible during the line dance. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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The Nittany Lion dances with one of the Four Diamonds Family children. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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This dancer collected autographs on his shirt. Earlier, he got Penn State President Graham B. Spanier to sign his left shoulder. Here, the Nittany Lion signs his right shoulder. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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Dancers and Four Diamonds Family children find many ways to have fun. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

Video games are included in THON entertainment ... dancers and families spent time playing games, left, and the popular Guitar Hero, right. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

Nearly 18 hours into THON, the dancers have the line dance down well and perform it with almost as much enthusiasm as they did at the start of the event. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

Four Diamonds children gave a fashion show for the dancers on Saturday morning. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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This youngster had two escorts for the fashion show. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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This youngster seemed a bit shy on stage during the fashion show. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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These two fashion show participants seemed to have a good time on stage. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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This little one looks as tired as some of the dancers must be feeling after about 18 hours on their feet. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

The Phyrst Family is a regular performer at THON. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

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The line dance is performed regularly throughout THON. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

One of the most popular THON events is the pep rally. Blue Band Blue Sapphire P.J. Maierhofer entertained the crowd before the official start of the rally. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

The pep rally was turned into the first mucial athlete awards show. Penn State teams took turns dancing to different categories of music. Here, the Penn State field hockey team danced in the "Best Pop Song" category. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

The women's soccer team also competed in the "Best Pop Song category. They were chosen the winners in the category. Photo by Annemarie Mountz

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

The Penn State football team was the final group in the pop song competition. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

Freshman Nick Sukay wows the crowd with his dance moves. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

The men's tennis team ended its dance by spelling out "THON 08 $" on their backs. When they turned around, their shirts spelled out "Fo Da Kid$" to remind everyone why they were there. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

The women's golf team was joined by Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity to dance in the hip hop category. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

After the hip hop category was completed, there was a break in the awards ceremony for the THON line dance, led by Morale captains. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

The men's golf team did a Chippindale-like dance to open the Fabulous '80s category. Their performance beat out the baseball team, and the Nittany Lion with the cheerleaders, to take the prize in this category. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

The Penn State Icers were joined by the Dance Team for their number in the Fabulous '80s category. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

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The Nittany Lion showed off his agility during the Music Awards pep rally Saturday night. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

Members of the Penn State Blue Band danced to the music as they prepared to play for the pep rally Saturday night. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

Even the upper level of the Bryce Jordan Center was well-populated with fans as everyone prepared for the pep rally on Saturday night. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

Bathed in blue light, the Penn State Blue Band plays at the start of the pep rally. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

This Four Diamonds child was excited to be able to watch the pep rally from the back of the stage. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

Caricaturist Chip Mock draws one of the dancers. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

Student Milton Newberry, left, called by the Daily Collegian "a socialite to the Nittany degree," chats with some dancers during THON 08. Photo by Andy Colwell

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

Clowns prepare to go out on the dance floor to help lift the spirits of the dancers on Sunday morning. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

Meal #10, the final meal of THON, was served mid-day Sunday. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

Three Four Diamonds Family brothers had fun playing ball on the floor. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

Direct hit: This Four Diamonds Family member hit her intended target in the head with a steady stream of water. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

Time for a nap. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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Members of the Family Relations committee watch a video of former Four Diamonds children who have been in remission, and in some cases, are now adults with families themselves. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

J.R. Mangan and Natalie were the final live act of THON 08. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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Dancers and fans alike held up their fingers in the shape of a diamond to show their support for THON and the Four Diamonds Fund. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

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The final line dance of THON 08 turned the Bryce Jordan Center into a sea of arms, from the floor all the way up to the rafters. Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008

During Family Hour near the end of THON 08, families were introduced to the crowd. There were 120 Four Diamonds Families in attendance this year. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

During Family Hour near the end of THON 08, one family told its story, including how much the Four Diamonds Fund and THON have helped them. Photo by Annemarie Mountz.

Photo Credit: Annemarie Mountz

Year Taken: 2008

With this year's record-breaking total, THON now has gone over $50 million raised "For The Kids." Photo by Andy Colwell.

Photo Credit: Andy Colwell

Year Taken: 2008