This weekend, we had the honor of hearing incredible stories about why dancers dance. Dancers shared their passions and inspirations behind their involvement with THON, and we wanted to continue the conversation.

Here’s a few more thoughts from some of THON 2021’s 592 dancers.

Will Remey, Alpha Phi Delta

Why are you dancing in THON?

I am dancing because my father passed away from cancer over a year ago and believed in THON when he was a Penn Stater. After getting to meet the children of THON and hearing their inspiring stories, I’m dancing not only for them but for him, too.

What does dancing in THON mean to you?

THON means making a difference and fighting childhood cancer. No family should ever not be able to afford saving their child’s life. For my father, they couldn’t treat him, so I want to dance and raise money so every child can receive treatment and beat cancer.

What are you most excited for during THON 2021?

Getting to dance with the support of my family, friends, and my fraternity.

Kaitlynn Pownall, Club Cheerleading

Why are you dancing in THON?

I am dancing in honor of my aunt who is battling cancer and my uncle who I lost to cancer. I am dancing in hopes that no child will ever have to experience chemo, radiation, or other treatments ever again.

What does dancing in THON mean to you?

To me, dancing in THON means showing your commitment to all of the children and families who are fighting. We remind them they are not in it alone.

What are you most excited for during THON 2021?

I am excited to finally be representing my organization as their dancer and see what they have in store with the livestream.

Jake Schwartz, Epsilon Sigma Alpha

Why are you dancing in THON?

THON is the greatest thing I’ve ever been a part of. The ability to be a part of something so much bigger than myself and get to know my org’s adopted families has been a highlight of my life and capping off my college career by dancing is the icing on the cake. The fact that we can push out the real world and let these kids be truly care-free for 48 hours is worth standing any amount of time for.

What does dancing in THON mean to you?

I’m a professional magician, and I want to do magic full-time when I graduate. When you see a good magic trick, everything else in the world melts away, and for that one moment, you live in true astonishment. THON, for me, is a 46-hour moment just like that. For 46 hours, nothing else matters, the real world fades away, and everyone comes together.

What are you most excited for during THON 2021?

Getting to talk to and hang out with my organization’s adopted families/our THON kids all weekend.

Autumn Barber, IDC With Jacob Zeigler

Why are you dancing in THON?

I want to show my support in more than just the financial way. I wanted to endure a small portion of the pain that these little tiny soldiers are feeling even though I know the fatigue and little leg pain does not even come close to what these children go through. I am a HUGE family and kid person. I love everything that THON is and does to help financially and emotionally support these families in this time of great need. Children should be able to grow up doing kid things and should not have to worry about pain, excessive treatments, procedures, going in for a doctor visit, and having to stay or anything related. I would love to be dancing in celebration, but for right now I am more than OK with dancing for a cure and For The Kids!

What does dancing in THON mean to you?

To me THON means HOPE. Hope for a better tomorrow and hope for a cure. Hope for more birthdays and more smiles. To me dancing in THON means I am helping foster hope in these kids and their families, and later children and their families. I am helping put more on their little faces and bring more laughter into their lives.

What are you most excited for during THON 2021?

Spending time with my families on Zoom! Whether it be playing games I have created for us, watching the pep rally together, or just hanging out.

Matthew Junker, Sapphire Leadership Program

Why are you dancing in THON?

I’m dancing in THON for a really close friend of mine who unfortunately passed away due to pediatric cancer over a year ago. He had such an amazing influence on my life, and I wanted to give back to him and for kids that battle cancer just like him.

What does dancing in THON mean to you?

Dancing in THON means so much to me because it’s a challenge, and it’s one I need to take on to show my support to my friend and so many other kids who go through so much more than I could ever imagine. I want to show that they are so strong and that I’m here to stand with them and support them forever.

What are you most excited for during THON 2021?

I’m excited to complete the marathon and raise a ton of money FTK!

Makenzie Tobin, Penn State Sign Language Organization

Why are you dancing in THON?

I attended my first THON at 7 years old to support my cousins. Ever since then, it has been my dream to dance in THON as a senior. I was a Dancer Relations Committee member from freshmen to junior year. After attending THON for over 14 years now, I am finally having my dreams come true.

What does dancing in THON mean to you?

THON means being able to be a part of something that is so much bigger than yourself — it is family, it is love! This THON is extra special because it has been my life goal ever since I was 7. I looked at my family members in the stands at my first THON and said, “I’m gonna do this one day, and attend Penn State so I can dance in THON when I’m a senior.” Well, here I am! Dancing in THON means that for one weekend we are able to make our Four Diamonds Family forget what they are going through and we are able to support them the whole weekend.

What are you most excited for during THON 2021?

I am most excited to hear the countdown where we say, “3, 2, 1, stand up!” It gets me every year — I cry happy tears every time. THON is an indescribable experience, and I am so lucky it has been apart of my life for so long. For The Kids, always!