Editor’s Note: StateCollege.com has asked those involved in THON to explain how and why they got involved. Below are some of the responses we’ve received. Check back frequently for more testimonials. If you’d like to write one of your own, please e-mail terry.casey@statecollege.com -TJC
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Ian Oliner, Cancer Survivor
I THON for many reasons, but I can relate to THON and the children dealing with cancer on a more personal note than the average person. I was only 16 years old when I was diagnosed with a form of cancer that affects the lymph nodes called Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I battled it for three months and was pronounced in remission.
It was only six months later during a routine scan that I was told the cancer had relapsed. This time it was exponentially harder on me mentally, physically and emotionally. I was able to beat it again for the second time and I am almost four years in remission.
THON is important to me because I wish that one day there will be a cure for all forms of cancer and that no child will have to deal with what I went through. I love THON and even though I will be graduating this spring, I hope to be involved with THON the rest of my life.
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DJ Broccoli, Entertainment Captain
As a freshman I had no involvement in THON 2008 aside from attending the last four hours. Listening to the family speakers and seeing the total revealed were two of the most memorable experiences of that weekend. These four hours alone have sparked my interest to become deeply involved in THON.
A few weeks after THON 2008, I applied to be a THON 2009 Entertainment Captain. That call of acceptance after my interview was the start of a new part of my life. THON quickly became a top priority for me and just as quickly redefined all aspects of my life.
Now, two years later, I am an Entertainment Captain again for THON 2010. Over the past two years I have made some of my best friends in college and shared with them some incredible experiences. While THON’s most notable achievement year after year is its substantial monetary contributions to The Four Diamonds Fund, there are also so many other facets that keep students like myself coming back every year.
THON brings together more than 15,000 like-minded students who all share so much, making friendships that last a lifetime. It also allows those involved to spend countless hours interacting with children who would do anything to be distracted from the daily routines of cancer patients. Being able to witness these kids experience the life of a ‘normal’ child is indescribable – not to mention addicting!
Personally, I cannot describe THON in words alone. Luckily, as a Production Captain for THON, I am able to make the videos that describe THON to those outside the community and at the same time pump up all those who wait year round to help THON in any way possible. As much as I have contributed my time and resources to help THON, THON has also paid me back tenfold in the form of friendships, lessons in respect and honesty, and, most importantly, a new respect for life.
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Jonathan Talarek, Rules and Regulations — Dancer Registration Captain
Growing up, my family has always provided for me and given me many opportunities to grow as a person. But more importantly, my father instilled a sense of pride and selflessess. I looked up to my father and I always knew I wanted to be just like him. I began volunteering at an early age with Boy Scouts and other local organizations. Upon arriving as a freshman to Penn State University in the fall of 2006, I immediately looked for ways to volunteer. Everyone on campus seemed to belong to an organization called THON. Curiously, I visited www.THON.org and was instantly amazed. I knew at that moment that THON and Penn State were the place for me.
I quickly joined a Rules and Regulations committee and had a great captain and committee. After THON 2007, I realized that the THON community provides a network of friends and a loving family. In the fall of 2007, I continued my involvement as a Rules and Regulations committee member again. However mid-way through the year, I was selected to dance for Engineering Leadership Development in THON 2008. Staying awake for over 50 hours and dancing in THON are two of my proudest accomplishments throughout my college career. But I knew that I could continue to give more to THON and help cure pediatric cancer. For the past two years, I have been selected as a Rules and Regulations Captain. I have enjoyed having two unique and incredible committees. As well, I have continued to meet lifelong friends and expand my THON family.
Picking one reason to continue to be apart of THON is almost impossible. Most importantly, I continue to THON to find a cure for pediatric cancer. Also, I want to provide emotional and financial support to the Four Diamonds Families at the Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. The children and families with pediatric cancer provide overwhelming support and inspiration to me and many others. Thirdly, I wouldn’t be here without my two outstanding committees in THON 2009 and THON 2010. This year my committee members on THONderstuck have given me the additional inspiration to give everything I have. I cannot say enough great things about my entire committee. The dedication that everyone has is awe-inspiring and touching. I often joke around saying that this is the best committee THON has ever had.
THON is not simply an organization but instead a way of life. I cannot imagine my Penn State experience without joining THON. I have met many incredible lifelong friends and family members. THON defines who I am and the type of human being I strive to be someday. When I say FTK or “For the Kids” I truly mean that I am working For the Kids. Pediatric cancer is a terrible disease that affects millions of children around the globe. Cancer knows no race, religion, or nationality and can affect anyone at anytime. One day, we will volunteer, dance, and sing in THON out of celebration because pediatric cancer will be cured. Until then, we dance in joy. THON on FTK!
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Sam Kline, Merchandise Captain – Sales Management
I have been involved with THON since I was 11 years old, when my sister was here at Penn State. Every time she would come home for break I would hear about this event called THON. She was a Rules and Regulations captain and then Special Events captain her junior and senior years. Her senior year, she danced for the Sigma Kappa sorority. Every time I heard about THON from her it made me want to come to Penn State. When I saw her pictures of THON, I was speechless.
Immediately after being admitted to Penn State, the first thing that I thought about was THON. As a freshman I couldn’t wait to get involved. That year and the next, I served on the Finance committee. Being at THON as a Penn State student was the best experience of my life and something I had waited for, for seven long years. This year as a Merchandise captain I have had many firsts in my THON experience that cemented a love for THON that could never stop. I got to visit the Hershey Medical Center, attend the Road to THON dinner, go to the Family Carnival, and watch as the kids took off for the 5K.
I think that every person has that moment that suddenly makes them pause and realize why they love THON. For me, that was meeting some Four Diamonds Families and staff at Hershey [Medical Center]. Seeing everything that the kids go through and hearing about all of the amazing things the staff does there, I understood so much more about how crucial it was that we all continue the fight FTK.
THON to me means love. From the kids, their parents, and the staff at Hershey, I learned what love looks like. When it’s perfect and clear. Because of them, I look at THON always as something better, truer, and deeper than anything else I know.
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