MADISON KWIECINSKI
Managing Editor
mvk5945@psu.edu

Last weekend, on Sat. December 2, 2023, Behrend Benefiting THON hosted its annual 24-hour-long dance marathon in the newly remodeled Erie Hall at Penn State Behrend. The event began at noon on Saturday and did not end until noon on Sunday, all for the purpose of raising funds to benefit the Four Diamonds Fund. 

The Four Diamonds fund is the sole beneficiary of THON, and each Penn State Behrend has the honor of sponsoring and supporting two incredible families through the Four Diamonds Foundation: Rylee and Katie. The money Behrend raises for Four Diamonds goes directly to travel, lodging, and treatment costs for the girls and their families. 

According to their website, the mission of THON is “to provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness and ensure funding for critical research, all in pursuit of a cure.” FTK, or THON’s common rallying cry, rings true in their mission statement for the kids. 

The Behrend Benefitting THON event that occurred this past weekend is a test of resilience for the kids, as dancers are required to stand for 24 hours straight and cannot sit, sleep, or consume any caffeine. The Event is well-supported by the Behrend community, with numerous other clubs across Behrend’s campus volunteering to sign up for time slots throughout the 24-hour span to volunteer. Clubs would utilize their time slots to plan events meant to keep the dancers engaged and awake. 

The Behrend Cheer team made an appearance to cheer the dancers on and boost morale and the Behrend Beacon planned a competition for the dancers where they had to break into teams and create clothes for a fashion show out of newspaper. PSB Lion Ambassadors hosted one of their midnight Bingo Events at 24 FAC, which was Christmas PJ-themed, and LEB even hosted a silent disco at the event, which seemed to reenergize the dancers around 1:30 a.m.

Four teams of dancers participated in the event on behalf of THON: the pink, green, orange, and blue teams. These four teams came together and allowed for 24 FAC to raise a final total of $27,700.38 to put towards the battle against childhood cancer. 

THON is consistently working to aid in the battle against childhood cancer, and if you would like to join in this fight, please check out their page on BehrendSync to get involved. Additionally, Behrend Benefiting THON already has an event scheduled for next semester. On Saturday, February 3, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Brookside Fire Station in Erie they will be hosting a bingo and dinner night, where the cost is $35 per person to attend.