When Annabelle McQuillan first chose Penn State, she knew THON would be a defining moment in her college career. Now, four years later, the senior club field hockey player is finally dancing at the Bryce Jordan Center.

McQuillan is motivated by Daniel, club field hockey team’s THON child, who has become like a little brother to the team.

“THON was a huge part of why I chose to come to Penn State,” McQuillan said.

By choosing Penn State, McQuillan was quickly enveloped in a community and space that emphasized THON and the fight against pediatric cancer. In her rise through leadership in club field hockey, McQuillan has become closer and more involved in THON, embracing its significance.

“From the beginning, they really pushed how important THON was,” McQuillan commented. “So that was a big reason why I got involved and why I stay involved today.”

Her org’s THON family has given McQuillan a first-hand perspective on the effects of pediatric cancer. Standing for 46 hours is meant to represent the grueling, nonstop fight cancer patients, like Daniel, go through. With Daniel’s fight in mind, it fuels McQuillan and gives her motivation to keep going.

“His strength and resilience and remission and every obstacle that comes with it is just so inspiring to everyone in our organization for what it means for just one weekend for us to stand and the daily struggles that he and his mother, Shannon, go through. It’s just such a great weekend and such a great way to represent them,” McQuillan remarked.

The connection with her THON family inspired McQuillan to dance at THON and keeps her grounded during the marathon.

“Whenever Shannon and Daniel come on the floor, them just talking to us and hanging out with us is a great reminder of why we’re doing this, who we’re doing it for, and why we should stay motivated,” McQuillan noted.

Despite looking forward to this moment for so long, nothing can truly prepare you for THON, and the environment initially surprised McQuillan when she took the floor for the first time.

“I didn’t quite realize how loud it was going to be on the floor, and how emotionally overwhelming it was gonna be when you’re first walking in,” McQuillan observed. “But it’s like the best emotionally overwhelming you could ever describe.”

As a senior in her last semester at Penn State, seeing all her hard work and involvement in THON pay off while she dances is a surreal and unforgettable experience. Standing and dancing for 46 hours represents something bigger than herself.

“Finally getting the chance to stand for all 46 hours and represent an org I’ve worked so hard for is gonna just stand out as one of my greatest achievements here at Penn State,” McQuillan proclaimed.

Being a part of something bigger than yourself makes THON and the fight against cancer worth it. McQuillan is willing to make the sacrifice and participate in THON to make it just a bit easier for Daniel and any other kid struggling with cancer.

“When you’re sitting next to your THON child who has gone through so much before he was even one or two, you realize how just 46 hours in one weekend is worth all the time and energy,” she stated. “Because you want more children to have the opportunity to come to this cancer-free.”

After four years of fighting For The Kids, McQuillan now gets a chance to dance in THON for a greater cause, to help in the fight against pediatric cancer.