Science Students to Dance in THON 2011

THON 2011 is quickly approaching as two dancers from the Science LionPride, an Eberly College of Science student organization, gear up for the 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon. The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, which raises funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer, is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world.

Science LionPride (SLP) is getting ready for its second year of having dancers on the floor for the fight against pediatric cancer. Roma Amin, a senior pre-medicine major and LionPride president from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Nadia Wyrsta, a senior science major from Elkins Park, Pennsylvania are the two lucky students who will represent SLP at THON.

Roma and Nadia each have their own motivation for being involved in THON and what it means to them:

Roma, left, and SLP secretary Jennie Wolf at THON 2010.

"THON has been one of the main constants in my Penn State life. I've gone on many canning trips, spent over 40 hours in the BJC each THON weekend, and loved every minute of it! Although most of my THON experience comes from involvement in general organizations, I honestly can't imagine my life without THON.

To me, THON means hope. Many people often criticize my generation for being apathetic, and in many aspects, maybe we are. But THON brings together thousands of Penn State students who raise millions of dollars for complete strangers, and just the reality of that concept is inspirational beyond belief. THON brings hopes not only for the children but also for the parents and siblings and friends and classmates. It also brings hope for a brighter tomorrow where there truly will be no limits; a place where we'll dance in celebration - but until then, we dance for life. FTK." - Roma

Nadia, left, with her twin sister Kristina, center, and friend Kelli Hall at THON 2010.

"The first time I saw a THON video, I broke down emotionally. The first thing that came to my mind was, “How can I ever take anything for granted; especially my life and what I have?” I never had those thoughts years ago when my twin sister and I were out of hospitals for numerous amounts of blood work and when we were in grade school for a skin depigmentation we developed.  We were in and out hoping they would find some cure for it. The summer seasons are always the hardest for me; because you can’t see the skin condition with clothes on.

The point of this story I am telling you is for reflection. I thought I was the only kid out there with a problem; I thought my world was over. The Four Diamonds videos I have seen and all the children who are diagnosed with pediatric cancer truly make me feel so uneasy and of despair inside; I cried that day when I saw the videos. I couldn’t fathom children hooked up to IV’s fighting for their lives and undergoing all the treatment at such young ages and we go on dealing with petty things thinking they are pertinent issues. If individuals can stand and dance for 46 hours and sacrifice that time to stand up and find a cure; I want to be that individual fighting on that dance floor in the Bryce Jordan Center.

Raising money for THON is an enormous contribution to finding a cure and helping all the Four Diamonds families; but, dancing for 46 hours and showing the outward sign of pure love and wanting to help find a cure is an enormous ordeal. Is there true altruism out there? The answer to that question is YES. True altruism lies within THON and all that it stands for. It will not just be me out there dancing; it is all of us, all of Science Lion Pride out there together fighting in spirit.  Dancing for THON for those 46 hours is and outward sign of living support and fighting." - Nadia

All of the Eberly College of Science will be cheering for you both! Good luck and have fun! FTK!

For more information about the Science LionPride, visit http://www.science.psu.edu/alumni/science-lionpride

For more information about THON and how you can help, visit http://www.thon.org/