Catching up on homework, spending time with friends or relaxing are just a few of the ways that many Penn State students spend their Sunday afternoons. Unlike the average student, Caitlin Zankowski spends her Sundays working for the kids. When Zankowski, an industrial engineering senior and THON's overall chairperson, was in high school in Pittsburgh, her sister introduced her to THON at Penn State. When she attended the weekend-long event for the first time, she knew that it was something special and that she wanted to be a part of the organization in any way that she could. (more)
The American Red Cross THON 2010 Blood Drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, in Kunkle Lounge, in the Hammond Building on Penn State's University Park campus. The American Red Cross will donate $4 to the Four Diamonds Fund in honor of each presenting donor. The donation can be credited to any THON-registered student organization's THON total. The blood drive is being sponsored by the American Society of Women Engineers, the Engineering Graduate Student Council and the Society of Women Engineers. To view upcoming drives and to make an appointment to donate visit http://www.psuredcross.org/ online. (more)
The seventh annual "Mr. Engineer" mock beauty pageant will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9, in the HUB's Alumni Hall. Male engineering student contestants will be judged not only on their looks, but on their ability to think on their feet and demonstrate a unique personal talent. The winning student will be crowned "Mr. Engineer 2010." Entrance to the pageant is $3 and all proceeds benefit THON. The event is hosted by the Society of Women Engineers and sponsored by Cisco. (more)
Caitlin Zankowski, an industrial engineering senior, has been named the overall chairman for the 2010 Intrafraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon. The annual event, which is the largest student-run philanthropy in the country, raises money to support children with cancer. This year's event raised more than $7.4 million for the effort. According to the Daily Collegian, Zankowski's Dance Marathon experience includes serving as a member of the rules and regulations committee in 2006, a captain of the committee in 2007 and 2008 and overall committee chair in 2009. (more)
Members of The Penn State DuBois THON Committee are resting their feet this week, after staying on them for 46 hours strait during the Penn State Dance Marathon at the Bryce Jordan Center at University Park. Students Jessica Booher and Carrie Flanagan represented DuBois at THON over the weekend. They were just two of the more than 700 dancers who raised $7.49 million to benefit children battling cancer. (more)
Even with a weak economy, THON broke all records again this year, raising more than $7.49 million and bringing the total raised since its inception to more than $57 million for the Four Diamonds Fund. The actual total raised was $7,490,133.87. Throughout the 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping event, dancers were supported by moralers and other THON volunteers, as well as by the entertainment, and the crowds in the stands. Many of the Four Diamonds Families who benefit from the money raised at THON also were in attendance. For photos, visit http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/1982 online. (more)
The Lasch Football Building was alive with excitement Saturday as more than 30 children tried on helmets and shoulder pads with the Penn State football team as part of The Penn State Dance Marathon and Make-A-Wish Foundation. The 37th annual Penn State Dance Marathon began Friday in the Bryce Jordan Center to raise funds for children with cancer. It wasn't just the BJC that was full of fun and smiles on THON weekend. The Lasch Building became a dream come true to a number of boys and girls and their families. Approximately 25 Nittany Lions players served tour guides for the families. (more)
THON is revving up and soon will be taking off for the 46-hour journey that will have student dancers going the distance For The Kids. Before the dancers can officially descend on the Bryce Jordan Center and take over, the arena must be converted from the home court of the Lady Lions, who played the Purdue Boilermakers Thursday night, into a dance hall. Watch this time lapse video to see the transformation: http://live.psu.edu/youtube/NYkVMuTXTJE. (more)
Katie Austin was diagnosed with pediatric cancer before she entered sixth grade. With support from Penn State's Dance Marathon (THON) and the Four Diamonds Fund, she was able to recover from her illness, attend Penn State and participate in THON as the family relations overall chairperson. There she is responsible for helping families with their needs, just as she was helped as a Four Diamonds child. Watch and listen as she tells her story. (more)
"Unfortunately, it took the devastating experience of having a child with cancer to open my eyes to the incredible achievement that is THON," said Penn State faculty member Matthew Restall. He hopes his faculty colleagues don't have to undergo his family's trial to learn about the impact of Penn State students who "set an example of selfless commitment to a cause and of the joy of volunteering and working together as a team toward a noble goal to help others, especially children." (more)
