THON bills itself as the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, both in revenue and volunteer participation. The organization estimates that 16,500 students -- about one in three undergraduates at University Park -- participate in the 46-hour event, which since its inception has raised more than $150 million to benefit the families of children with cancer.
Student journalists from the Bellisario College of Communications are covering THON on this blog and at lionsroaratpsu.org. Follow student reporting on Twitter and Instagram at #commthon2019
Friday afternoon: Launch Time
6:13 p.m. Dancer Relations Captains lead the crowd the THON 2019 line dance #COMMthon2019 pic.twitter.com/o93lnDDQde
— Lauren Lee (@lauren_llee) February 15, 2019
5:20 PM Dancers resting before the big stand!! #CommThon2019 pic.twitter.com/7o4YQbNYqL
— kaytie barry (@barryx15) February 15, 2019
Preparation: Choosing the right accessories for THON
This weekend senior Gabrielle Houser will be spending her first, and last THON as a dancer for her organization, NSSLHA (National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association).
After a rough fall semester, she is looking forward to an uplifting experience during her 46 hours this spring in the Bryce Jordan Center. Last semester, Houser and her family suffered two deaths in the family – her grandmother, DeLoris Houser, and her cousin, Ryan Clark. After mourning their losses, she decided she wanted to make a positive impact in her final semester at Penn State.
She will be wearing a special necklace given to her from her grandmother, which features her grandmother’s name in hieroglyphics. Houser never thought she would find herself dancing in THON, but said she is excited, and very nervous, at the same time. She said some of her biggest fears are the pain of standing, and no sleep will cause her to have a mental breakdown on the floor of the BJC.
Her parents and little brother, PJ, will be visiting from New Jersey to support Houser and help her to sustain her motivation throughout the long weekend.
Timeline: THON 2019 in social media