What You Did
Jenna Charles
Why do you want to get involved with THON?
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
There are no words to describe the passion I hold for Penn State's Dance Marathon. To me, THON is the most worthwhile event a student at Penn State can become involved with. I want to be a part of not only the largest philanthropy in the world, but the one with the deepest meaning. The one that shows the world the kids with all predicted outcomes against them, make it out on top. If I am able to make even a small impact on the lives of even one of the children at THON then I would be happy. Seeing those children smile that huge, heart warming, and sometime toothless, smile is worth more than anything in the world. For this reason, the Kids, I want to give my hard work, dedication, passion, and love to THON.
“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it”. Those that have suffered from cancer are an inspiration to me. The kids that suffer have to grow up awfully quick and be able to live with what has happened to them, yet they are always the ones with the biggest smile on their face. I want to do everything in my power to help them get better and there is no better way than THON. We at Penn State dance for families broken apart in times of tragedy and do everything we can to bring them back together. We are a group with so much passion for a single cause and we will go head over heels to get the job done, to rid the world of cancer, to be there for the kids. Thinking about my loved ones, or any young children, being diagnosed with cancer is the biggest reason why I want to be involved with THON. I want to devote my time to raising money for cancer research so that other children get to experience the moments in life that I have a habit of taking for granted. I cannot think of a better way to give these children hope and faith for a brighter future than becoming a part of the incredible THON community that Pennsylvania State University students have worked so incredibly hard to build. After all, these children deserve the chance to know that although they do indeed have cancer, cancer does not have them.
I want to be a part of THON because I know it's the most phenomenal feat Penn State achieves year after year. I want to help make a difference and bring energy to THON. I love helping others and being part of something that is truly making a difference. To be able to alleviate financial stress, comfort those who have already lost a loved one, put smiles on the children’s precious faces, and join together to fight for the cure is all part of an incredible cause that I would love to be a part of again. I am absolutely inspired by the selflessness and dedication to the families that Thon supports and the money that goes to such an amazing cause. I want to be a part of THON 2013 because I have a driving passion to be involved and to be a leader in one of the most impactful and meaningful events I will ever encounter in my lifetime. I want to be a part of something bigger than myself. I want to get involved with THON to change lives.
We don’t volunteer in THON to put on our resume or to brag to our friends about. We get involved with THON because we love THON. THON is an absolutely amazing philanthropy, and I want to put in everything I have into making it as great as it can be. I don’t want to be involved in THON- I NEED to be involved in THON. I feel like I finally have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those around me, and I refuse to let that opportunity pass me by. All 700 plus dancers, all the thousands of volunteers, have one goal for the weekend, and that is to do it for the kids. THON helps a ridiculously large amount of children who truly need our donations, love, and support. I THON so the kids have a better chance at coming back each year. I have a chance here at Penn State to continue what she brought to life in me, a burning desire to make a difference. I want to THON because she has become my inspiration and cornerstone when I feel as if there is nothing more I can do or give. Without research done by cancer centers around the world, she and thousands of other children would not be here to bless us today. Her strength and courage throughout her battle is seen in the so many patients that THON seeks to serve. THON is a weekend when kids with cancer can forget their problems and just be a kid again. He lived so much life in his 3 years and there was an unbreakable power of love that he passed on. After seeing this happen I wanted help the families that had to go through what two very close families to me went through. I tried to get involved with spreading awareness about this disease in any way that I could. I was absolutely overwhelmed with the compassion, enthusiasm, and love that so many people could work for all year, and I walked off the floor into a completely different future for myself. The only thing connecting us was our love for the cause, the families, the cure, yet we became a family. This group of individuals exemplified the notion: you never know what someone is going through until you have walked in their shoes, & they took me on a journey.
“Take my hand and promise not to let go/ As long as I feel you there, I know everything will be okay/ With your hand in mine I can defeat even the toughest foe.” These lines define all of the relationships that are built through THON, such as remembering those taken too soon, a moraler encouraging a dancer or a beautiful child lighting up the BJC. Hand in hand we will beat cancer.
XO,
J