How Did I get Involved?
Freshman year of college I was eager to get the entire college experience, but I soon found that school and work were going to be a lot of work. My second semester I finally had the swing of things and was ready to go in search of any and every club that suited me. Most of the friends I had made were in an organization called THON. I attended my first meeting and it changed my life. THON is a year round effort to raise money for Pediatric Cancer. Each organization get paired with children who are currently conquering pediatric cancer. My THON children have inspired me to be a better person and to take the time to help others.To learn more about THON go to thon.org. I highly recommend taking the time to learn about this amazing cause. What is THON?
The mission of the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon is to conquer pediatric cancer by providing outstanding emotional and financial support to the children, families, researchers, and staff of the Four Diamonds Fund. It has over 15,000 student volunteers and has raised more than $101 million year to date. The year culminates with a 46 hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon known as THON Weekend. (Which yes I was a dancer my sophomore year of college). The other years I was on a Morale Committee.This event is held at Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center each year in the month February. In 2013, THON raised a record-breaking $12.37 million and was able to donate 96% of funds raised directly to the Four Diamonds Fund.
Facts I Bet You Didn't Know? {Click Here for source}
- Cancer claims the lives of more children each year than AIDS, asthma, cystic fibrosis and diabetes combined. It is the leading cause of death by disease in children and adolescents.
- Each year in the United States, approximately 13,500 children and adolescents younger than 20 years of age are diagnosed with cancer.
- Over 175,000 children are diagnosed with cancer worldwide each year.
- One out of every 300 males and one out of every 333 females in America will develop cancer before their 20th birthday.
- Childhood cancer does not discriminate, sparing no ethnic group, socio-economic class or geographic region.
- About one in 500 young adults is a childhood cancer survivor. Nearly 2/3 of the survivors later experience significant and chronic medical problems or develop secondary cancers as adults that result from the treatment of their original cancer.
- In the past 20 years only two new cancer drugs have been approved specifically for pediatric cancer.
- The causes of most pediatric cancers remain a mystery and cannot be prevented.
What Can You Do?
First and foremost become aware, this is just a start. Make yourself aware of what organizations are out there that raise money for this cause. Spread that awareness! Pediatric Cancer doesn't have to affect your family for you do want to do something about it. Then DONATE! It's as easy as going to your computer and typing THON.org into the search box. Spend time navigating the site, get to know our THON children that are being treated and that have conquered cancer. Learn about was that we raise money and remember any amount of money helps. Donate your hair, spread the word, take a visit to a hospital and just spend time playing with children who have made it their second home, just get involved. I hope that you take ACTION! Don't wait until Cancer affects you to become involved.
What Am I Going To Do?
I wouldn't be ranting about this amazing cause if I myself wasn't going to stay involved. With my recent graduation from Penn State I was worried if I would feel distant from this organization I was so heavily involved in for the past four years. I have made myself a promise to not only donate to the wonderful cause this year, but also continue to spread the awareness in all the events THON puts on throughout the year. I also hope to make it to THON weekend this February.
I am so proud of you and how passionate you are for such an awesome cause!!!!! I to am hoping to join you at THON again in Feb!!!
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