The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences annually churns out quite the fundraising total for THON. In fact, it has finished atop the general organization charts five years running, according to fundraising chair Victoria Christensen. However, it doesn’t know exactly how much it was able to raise toward the THON 2016 total. “We wanted it to be a surprise,” Christensen said. Since 2003, EMS has raised more than $600,000 FTK.

EMS, which is made up of students, alumni, and faculty, has seven dancers going the full 46 FTK this year, with approximately 30 more members proudly cheering them on from section 106.

One of EMS’ main focuses, of course, is the environment. Its custom t-shirts are adorned with a strong-standing tree and a beautiful image of the Earth. EMS supports four THON families throughout the year — the Woods’, the Brewers, the Hollingers, and the Schmidts.

EMS first formed a lasting bond with the Brewers in 2004, becoming the organization’s first THON family after meeting their son Troy, who tragically passed away from pediatric cancer in 2006. The Woods’ became EMS’ second family in 2006. Their 15-year-old son Michael (one of seven, soon to be eight children) is now ten years cancer free. The Hollingers were paired up with EMS in 2013 and their son Jackson, who successfully beat Leukemia in 2015. The Schmidts are the newest THON family that EMS has had the chance to connect with and did not have a profile on its webpage.

“Our unwavering commitment keeps us motivated to fundraise relentlessly and honorably, while remembering what THON is truly about: helping the families,” it says on EMS’ official webpage. Christensen and the rest of the motivated members of EMS are instrumental in making THON a success year in a year out.

EMS is one of many organizations that puts in countless hours of hard work throughout the year For The Kids and For The Cure. We’re crossing our fingers for another outstanding year.