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THON 2010

Dancers endure 46 hours on feet for record breaking total

On February 21 the four Penn State Berks THON dancers screamed their lungs out inside a capacity filled Bryce Jordan Center [BJC] as a record breaking total of $7,838,054.36 was revealed for the Four Diamond fund.

“It was incredible and I cry every time I see it. I never thought we would raise that much money the way things are these days with the economy,” said dancer Michele Pischle.

For Berks dancer, Michelle Wellimin, the Berks THON families Biancones, Swopes and her friends played a big role at THON.

“My friends definitely were my support system, especially with my family not being there. The Swopes and the Biancones being there also helped a bunch; they were my main motivation and having them there was a huge help,” said Dancer Michelle Willemen.

During the 46 hours there was more then just dancing these dancer could do on the floor.

Willemin explained, “There was always something to do on the floor, whether it was playing giant Jenga with big blocks or participating in the color wars, to making picture frames and jewelry”

The dancers had their own personal motivators known as “Moralers” along their side through out the time span. Junior Stephanie Fuss, assigned to Penn State Berks dancers, had many ways to keep these Berks dancers going.

“As a previous dancer in THON 2009, during the weekend I tried to keep the Berk's dancers moving every moment possible, that is the key to making it through THON weekend,” said Fuss

She knew exactly how to keep these dancers motivated.

“I would bring games to play and activities to do to keep them busy. Also, I would always ask them if they needed anything, especially a piggy back ride or to be massaged,” said Fuss

Willemen and the three other dancers were positive they could get through the almost two days of being on their feet.

“In the beginning, the first time your feet really start hurting, you get a little freaked out because you still have so long to go, but never did I have a doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t be able to finish,” said Willemin.

Dancer Alicia Gilham saw her work payoff in the final hour of THON
“The end of THON was my favorite when all the families were there and I had a burst of energy. I could see what all of our hard work has done for these families and just all the love in the arena,” said Gilham

The THON total will be added to the additional 61 million dollars raised since the beginning of THON in 1973. Despite being in a recession in the past two years, THON had still raised $7,490,133.87 in 2009.

“It's amazing that even while in a recession, THON is able to beat the total from previous years,” said Business Major Mike Wolfinger.

Wolfinger a junior at Berks continued by saying, “It shows how much the students care and work so hard to raise that huge amount for the Four Diamonds Fund. Nothing can keep us from raising money for these kids.”

Even know these students were not required to stay awake 46 straight hours, many students includingTHON Canning chair Rachael Parent, had less then 10 hours of sleep the whole weekend.

“I had a total of 8 hours of sleep the whole weekend,” said parent.
While dancers Miller, Gilham, Welleman and Pischle stood on the

ir feet for 46 hours, Berks THON students stood in the BJC supporting each dancer on the a

rena floor. There was not a single second where a Berks student was not in the stand cheering for the four individuals.


“I had so much fun cheering the dancers on while everyone was feeding off each others energy,” saidl Parent.

Brian Tran, Berks THON Overall was honored by the dancers,“Words can not describe how proud I am of the dancers this year. Each of the dancers pushed through the pain and made it look so easy. I admire and look up to every one of them so much for what they have done. They made a difference in the lives of these children and for that, they are true heroes.”

2010 THON Preview

PSU Berks THON: Preparing for lifetime experience

Left: Michele Pischl, Michelle Willemin, Alicia Gilham and Dylan Miller feeling the fame of being a Penn State Thon dancer. These Group of students will represent Penn State Berks dancing for 46 non-stop hours.

On Feb. 19, THON, the largest student run philanthropy event in the world, will be taking place at the Bryce Jordan Center [BJC] in State College. Four students from Penn State Berks will be dancing 46 hours non-stop raising money for pediatric cancer.

Each dollar raised, is sent to the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s hospital.

“THON is special because I don’t think there’s ever another time when the BJC is filled with nothing but love. All 15,261 seats are filled and the kids can forget about being sick for an entire weekend. That’s not something you will find anywhere,” said Berks THON overall Megan Alwein.

Michele Pischl, Michelle Willemin, Alicia Gilham and Dylan Miller will be representing Berks Common Wealth Campus during the dance marathon. These students will be a part of more than 700 dancers and 300 organizations, according to a press release from THON. Each dancer may not sit or sleep at all for those two days.

“Not being able to sleep will be the toughest part for me because I tend to get irritable when I don’t get enough sleep,” said Pischl.

However, Pischl will have her motivation, “My friends and family will be there to support me when I feel I can’t hang in there. Seeing Jason Swope and Natalie Biancone (Berks THON kids) will keep my inspiration alive.”

THON Overall for Berks, Brian Tran lived these same 46 hours last year for the dance marathon.

“There were times during the weekend when I was hurting so badly that I wanted to give up. Nobody said standing up for 46 hours straight was easy, but all I had to do was think of Jason, Natalie and all of the other Four Diamonds children, and my pain seemed to just go away,” said Tran

THON raised $7.49 million in 2009 where 90 percent of the money went straight to The Hershey Children’s Hospital, according to Somer Wiggins’ article in the Daily Collegian.

The money is then sent to families who need financial help. Three-year-old Natalie Biancone, the family Penn State Berks supports, has received help when her life was on the line from the Four Diamonds Fund. Biancone was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia 16 months after being born.

“One time Natalie was critically septic and had to be flown by medical helicopter from the Reading Hospital to The Hershey Medical Center. That trip alone cost $16,000,” said Michael Biancone, N. Biancone’s father.

This was just one occasion where the Four Diamonds have helped cover expenses for the Biancones.

After the Four Diamonds covered 27 months of treatment, in December 2009, N Biancone was diagnosed free of cancer.

“Words are hard to describe the feelings. A combination of relief as if a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders, happiness to see her done with chemo, anxiety because now she must go five years of clear (cancer free) check ups, and hope as we begin a new life together,” said M. Biancone

If any students are interested in going to THON for a day, the Campus Activity Board is sending a bus up for the day on Saturday, Febuary 20. Students can sign up in the Student Life office.

Doors open at 3:30 on Friday, February 19 at the Bryce Jordan center. Information about THON can be found at www.thon.org. Donations can be made electronically through Berks THON site at http://www.clubs.psu.edu/bk/thon/THON.html.