After Thursday’s announcement of the cancellation of Canning Weekend #3, the Facebook and Twitter worlds erupted with aches of disappointment. But before long, students, alumni, and the many supporters of THON were uniting to make amends through, what Onward State’s own John Tecce has dubbed, #CyberCanning.

Facebook and Twitter statuses pledged to donate to THON in lack of canning, a Facebook event was created to encourage students to donate the gas and food expenses intended for their canning trek directly to THON, 6abc Action News and College Rehab (a site dedicated to coverage of new music run by Penn State sophomore Anish Bhatia) have promised to donate $0.50 for every Facebook “like” they receive today, and Sunoco: Official Fuel of Nascar is donating $1.00 for everyone that “likes” their Facebook page up until THON Weekend (I’m sure there have been even more efforts, so I apologize to those whose efforts I did not include).

But how significant of a role does a Canning Weekend play in the overall fundraising of THON? Can you reschedule a Canning Weekend? I reached out to THON Overall Elaine Tanella and Public Relations Overall Kirsten Quisenberry to get some answers.

While neither Tanella or Quisenberry could detail the financial ramifications of losing a Canning Weekend, they both assured me that it in no way impedes THON’s mission.

“Every fundraising effort affects our total, but they never affect the main pillar of THON, which is the moral support of the Four Diamonds Families,” Tanella said.

“We just focus on family support, these events are meant to give the Four Diamonds Families the opportunity to get away from all the struggles of pediatric cancer,” Quisenberry said.

They informed me that it is possible that Canning Weekend #3 could be rescheduled, but the Overall Committee, in the midst of this week’s hectic activities, has not had a chance to address this issue.

This is not the first time that a Canning Weekend has run into trouble with weather conditions. Quisenberry explained that during one weekend in 2010, students were restricted to fundraising at store fronts due to a snow storm, and that in 2006 a weekend was canceled due to snow. As Tanella put it, it’s just a matter of luck with weather.

The two overalls also expressed how much the aforementioned student’s reactions to the loss of the Canning Weekend has meant to them and the rest of the Overall Committee.

“It’s a testament to how passionate and dedicated the THON members are,” Quisenberry said, “They are always finding new ways to support the families.”

“Throughout this whole week, the captains and other committee members have been there to help us,” Tanella said, “Those in THON amaze me more everyday.”