OUR MISSION
The Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group (DMAIG) leads a passionate community of alumni who create and promote opportunities to raise awareness, volunteer time, and provide philanthropic support to champion the efforts of THON™. This year, I am joining alumni from around the world to participate in the 6th annual Hope for Coast to Coast fitness challenge! The virtual event takes place throughout the weeks leading up to THON and includes being active in the 46 days leading up to THON. I hope to also be a part of the in-person relay from the Penn State Children's Hospital in Hershey to the BJC leading up to THON Weekend to deliver letters from THON children at the hospital to the dancers dancing for all 46 hours! The funds we raise help support THON, the Kids, and their families during their battle, while bringing us closer to our ultimate goal -- finding a cure for all childhood cancers.
Short Bio & What THON Means to Me
I graduated from Penn State in 2018, and I recently graduated with my Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Clarkson University. Throughout my time at PSU, I was lucky enough to be a part of two amazing organizations that supported THON - PSU Greater Allegheny THON and Kinesiology Club. In these organizations, we worked year-round towards this cause, including many pancake breakfasts, pasta dinners, bake sales, and canning weekends.
At Penn State, THON weekend was always my favorite weekend every year. THON works to help all of the kids out there fighting their hardest battles and provide support to their families through these extremely tough times. In its simplest terms, THON is a 46 no-sleeping, no-sitting dance marathon for the kids. THON is also that feeling you get when you walk into the Bryce Jordan Center and experience 15,000+ people united in the fight against pediatric cancer. THON gives kids fighting the toughest battles a weekend to have fun and just be a kid with thousands of people who are cheering them along every step of the way. THON makes a difference in the lives of many kids battling pediatric cancer and their families, and I am so happy to continue supporting the cause in my years as an alumni! :)
