Oh, the sun.

After tens of emotional hours spent in the Bryce Jordan Center, a glimpse of the sunrise is exactly what you need to feel grounded once again.

It’s easy to lose track of time surrounded by artificial lights and loud music, but there’s no sight more welcoming than a THON Weekend sunrise.

When you exit the building around 7 a.m., the crisp air rattles your bones, and hues of purple, orange, and pink illuminate the distant mountains.

The sunrise is a chance for the eyes to perceive something new and different. Looking at the same floor and people for several hours can certainly be exhausting, and a change of scenery is always a positive sight.

Most people are asleep during every Happy Valley sunrise. To witness one of nature’s greatest wonders is a rarity. It’s truly one of the most special parts of THON Weekend.

The Sunday morning sunrise hits different, though. Universally, it’s a sign of hope. It’s a reminder that better days will come. Even after the darkest of nights, the sun rises once again.

In just a few short hours, millions of dollars will be raised for the fight against pediatric cancer. We will continue to fight for a cure after each and every sunrise.

The sunrise of THON is also a reminder that life exists outside of the mind-numbing world of the BJC. In the rest of Happy Valley, a new day dawns — one full of endless possibilities. Across the Eastern Time Zone, people are waking up and are ready to explore all that life will throw at them.

For some, the sunrise is the wake-up call they need before finishing the last 12 hours of THON 2023.

Thank you, Apollo, for watching over us. Your presence is felt and appreciated more than ever on this Sunday morning.