Feb. 19, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
The 38th annual Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon kicks off on Friday, Feb. 19 at the Bryce Jordan Center. Numerous Nittany Lions student-athletes will be among the dancers and committee members helping to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer.
Affectionately known as THON, the 46-hour dance marathon is the final event after a year's worth of fundraising by Penn State students. All proceeds benefit The Four Diamonds Fund, which offsets the costs of treatment a family's insurance may not cover, as well as any other expenses a family may incur while pursuing treatment for their child. The Fund also provides support to the medical team that cares for the children and funds pediatric cancer research. Since 1977, THON has raised more than $61 million for The Four Diamonds Fund. In 2009, THON collected a record-breaking $7,490,133.87.
Last year, members of Penn State's Student Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) raised more than $44,000 through various fundraising efforts. During the past seven years the group, also known as THONletes, has contributed more than $190,000 to the overall total. Donations are still being accepted and those wishing to help SAAB's total this year and aid a wonderful cause can visit www.thon.org. Select SAAB as the organization to donate under.
Four student-athletes are representing SAAB as dancers, including Lindsay Cullen (Women's Golf - Allen, Texas), Jen Miller (Field Hockey - North Caldwell, N.J.), Lee Valigorsky (Women's Fencing - Dubois, Pa.) and Megan Monroig (Women's Soccer - Northumberland, Pa.). Four members of the Penn State Lionettes Dance Team will participate as dancers, including Erin Zoch, Chelsea Dolchin, Kristen Fedeli and Alexandra Scott. Two Nittany Lion cheerleaders, Kylie Nellis and Derek Holman, will also dance. Dancers are not allowed to sit or sleep during the 46-hour event. THON begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 19 and ends at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21.
Several other SAAB members are involved in THON as captains, who are in charge of committees integral to making the fundraising year and THON weekend a success. They are Margo Josephs (Women's Lacrosse, Communications - Reisterstown, Md.), Nicole Bautz (Lionettes, Entertainment), Leah Rosenfeld (Cross Country, Finance/Fundraising - Ridgefield, Conn.) and Maria Valderas (Women's Lacrosse, Family Relations - Catonsville, Md.). In addition to dancers, captains and committee members, student-athletes both attend THON and participate in several events during the weekend. These events include, Student-Athlete Hour and the popular Pep Rally.
For more information on the Penn State Dance Marathon, please visit THON.org. Check back to GoPSUsports.com for additional coverage of SAAB's participation in THON throughout the weekend.
Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB) dancers:
Lindsay Cullen (Women's Golf - Allen, Texas) - No. 272A
Jen Miller (Field Hockey - North Caldwell, N.J.) - No. 272B
Lee Valigorsky (Women's Fencing - Dubois, Pa.) - No. 273A
Megan Monroig (Women's Soccer - Northumberland, Pa.) - No. 273B
Lionette Dancers:
Erin Zoch - No. 24A
Chelsea Dolchin - No. 24B
Kristen Fedeli - 25A
Alexandra Scott - No. 25B
Cheerleading Dancers:
Kylie Nellis - No. 246A
Derek Holman - No. 246B
