While THON was busy last week announcing the 2013 Overall Committee that would team with 2013 Overall Will Martin, a Pennsylvania senator also took the time to acknowledge the philanthropic event before Congress in Washington D.C.
On February 19, cards revealing $10,686,924.83 sent joy through the Bryce Jordan Center and signaled the end of THON Weekend 2012. And now three and a half weeks later, the Overall Chairperson for THON 2013 was been named. Shortly after midnight, THON adviser Barry Bram announced on his Twitter account that Will Martin will assume the role that Elaine Tanella held for THON 2012.
Representative Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania’s 5th congressional district addressed the House last Thursday to recognize and congratulate THON for another year of success. Thompson, a Penn State grad and Bellefonte native, had asked and received permission to address the House.
My fellow editor, Kevin Horne, did no wrong in publishing his post. He initiated public criticism of THON, something most irrationally fear, and is necessary to the vitality of the program. His concerns are valid, and only seek to craft a more dynamic philanthropy. However, I have my disputes with the arguments that he crafted.
Last year, I wrote a post-THON piece detailing the conflicts between members of the THON audience and the Rules & Regulations Committee. Unfortunately, I along with many other R&R members ran into similar situations this past weekend. In order to overcome these miscommunications, as well as those between the other THON Committees, both sides must do their part.
I'll admit -- and anyone who knows me can attest to this -- I haven't always been a huge fan of THON.
There isn't a powerful enough adjective to describe the fact that Penn State students raise millions of dollars for the Four Diamond Fund every year. Raising $10 million for childhood cancer research and support is something that is so unbelievably special and something that requires an extraordinary amount of time, effort, and love. That being said, and I know it's not the conventional wisdom, we can do better. THON has many problems that aren't being fixed, because frankly, people are scared to talk negatively about THON. Someone once told me, "I hate THON the organization, but I love THON the cause." Before everyone grabs their pitchforks and torches, let me just explain myself.