Penn State students take stand in THON

What is the first thing you think of when someone mentions Penn State?

There was a time what that was an easy answer.

The old saying was, “If God isn’t a Penn State Fan, why is the sky blue?”

The legendary Joe Paterno built a national football powerhouse in the town its legions of fans referred to as “Happy Valley.”

Then came Jerry Sandusky. Suddenly the Nittany Lions, their iconic head coach and Happy Valley was mired in the unhappiest of scandals, the sexual abuse of children.

Today, James Franklin continues to rebuild the Penn State football program, and the school has worked hard to make peace with the Paterno family, as well as extricating itself from the ugly tentacles of the Sandusky saga.

But its vaunted football program now has competition as the emblem with all that is good at Happy Valley.

That’s because a group of students decided to take a stand. Literally.

In the last four decades, the student-run charity known as THON has raised more than $168 million in the battle against pediatric cancer, with the money funding the latest research and patient support.

From its humble beginnings THON has mushroomed into the largest student-run philanthropy in the world.

This past weekend, students once again took a stand against cancer, rising to their feet at 6 p.m. Friday inside the Bryce Jordan Center on the main campus – and remaining on their feet for the duration of the dance marathon for the next 46 hours.

Before they took a seat Sunday afternoon, another $11,696,942.38 was raised. That’s $1 million more than they raised last year.

More than 400 student organizations took part in the annual fundraiser. The funds raised go to the Four Diamonds charity, which supports research for a cure and families with children who are battling this dread disease and getting treatment at Penn State Children’s Hospital at Hershey.

And the good work is apparently contagious. Students at the university’s satellite campuses scattered across the state have also gotten in on the act.

Penn State Brandywine Chancellor Marilyn Wells noted that participation in

THON is quickly becoming the trademark of a Penn State student, including those on the branch campus.

“Participation in meaningful service is a vital aspect of the Brandywine student experience, and THON is just one of many ways our students are making a difference,” Wells said.

Not only did a contingent of Brandywine students once again make the jaunt to State College for the event, students also are heavily involved in the volunteer aspect of the event. They have formed a local group called Brandywine Benefiting THON.

It is the notion of helping kids that appealed to one Penn State Brandywine student.

“I believe that children who are diagnosed with any type of cancer at a young age deserve to be kids,” said Emily Bush, 22, a senior and psychology major. “They deserve to live the lives of a regular child. That is why I believe THON is extremely important to me.”

Her reward? One look at the faces of the kids affected is all she needs.

“I have seen more smiles across people’s faces,” she commented. “I’ve seen smiles across kids’ faces who have survived cancer, who are in remission, who are still battling it. I’ve seen smiles across the students, across alumni; it’s incredible. That just makes THON more amazing than it already is.”

These kids, and their outstanding philanthropic efforts, are quickly becoming the face of Penn State.

Does that mean we should forget Jerry Sandusky and what happened? Certainly not.

But it should not unduly smear the reputation of a great institution, in fact – one of the nation’s great research institutions.

For too long the Sandusky affair wiped the smiles off the faces of students, staff and alums of “Happy Valley.” THON is changing that. Because a group of kids decided to take a stand.

“THON is a symbol of hope and inspiration to the children at Hershey medical and other children around the world,” said another Penn State Brandywine student, Keith Wagner of Ridley Park. “The communities that celebrate THON give those children reassurance that they are not alone in their battle.”

And not alone in rebuilding the reputation of a great institution.

Penn State Proud, indeed.