THON is not alone in its fight against pediatric cancer, and many universities across the nation hold similar dance marathons FTK. At the University of Delaware, UDance is held each spring. The 12-hour long dance marathon, benefits the Andrew McDonough B+ (Be Positive) Foundation. Among the thousands of Penn State students present at THON 2014 is a group of students from the University of Delaware who, like all the people in the BJC, are fighting for the kids.

I ran into the members of the executive board of UDance on the concourse level of the Bryce Jordan Center and got the unique opportunity to chat with them about their experience at THON while pushing through the ever growing floor pass line.

The ten executive board members of UDance present all basked in the excitement of THON, and described the environment on the concourse level as “overwhelming.”

“We’re here to show our support, because we all share the same goal. We are all FTK,” said Angela Carcione, the Registered Student Organizations (RSO) chair of UDance.

“We definitely look to THON as an example, while trying to differentiate ourselves as well,” said Mike Smyth, co-president of UDance. Smyth recognizes that the organization at the University of Delaware is having its seventh UDance Dance Marathon on March 23rd, is hard to compare to THON, which has been around since 1977.

UDance at the University of Delaware is being held at the Bob Carpenter Center, the home for Delaware’s men’s and women’s basketball programs, for the first time. Much like THON’s move from Rec Hall to the BJC, this will effectively allow for an increase in capacity for an ever-growing organization. “It’s a big move for us,” said Smyth.

Looking toward the future, Smyth sees UDance growing with some particular aspects of THON in mind.

“We like that THON distinguishes itself as a nationwide brand. THON in itself is a brand and that’s something we aspire to, too,” he said.

From the staff at Onward State, we wish UDance a successful Dance Marathon! FTK!