Looking for donations

PAHS graduate, Denzel Middleton, is hoping to participate in THON 2014 and is trying to raise funds to do so.  He is pictured here with Michelle Bliss at Fox's Pizza as she accepts a donation box.  THON Boxes are also currently placed at Everyday Happynings and the Port Allegany United Methodist Church.  More boxes will be coming to other local businesses in the next few weeks.  

WHAT IS THON?  THON is the largest student run philanthropy in the world. It is also known as the IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.  THON aims to raise funds and promote awareness in the fight against pediatric cancer.  The mission of the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon is to conquer pediatric cancer by providing outstanding emotional and financial suport to the childre, families, researchers and staff of the Four Diamonds Fund.  It is a year-long fundraising and awareness campaign for the fight against pediatric cancer.  This effort engages more than 15,000 student across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in hopes of finding a cure.  The year culminates with a 46-hour, no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon known as THON Weekend.  This event is held at Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center each year in the month of February.  In 2013, THON raised a record-breaking 12.37 million and was able to donate 96% of fund raised directly to the Four Diamonds Fund. 

Since 1977, THON has raised more than $101 million benefitting the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.  The Four Diamonds Fund picks up where insurance leaves off, enabling families to solely focus on care for their child.  ASsistance from the Four Diamonds Fund ensures counselor's, social workers; music therapists and other specialists are available to provide comprehensive care in a family-focused atmosphere.  Thanks to THON, the Four Diamonds and the Penn State Hershey Medical Center recruits world-class talent to continue innovative research benefiting children world wide. 

Denzel is a senior at Penn State majoring in Biobehavioral Health.  While at Penn State, he has been active in organizations such as MANRRS (Professional Development organization), United Soul Ensemble (Gospel Choir), and Sigma Nu Fraternity.  While active in the organizations, he is currently the Vice President of both MANRRS and Sigma Nu.  His plans upon graduation are to pursue a graduate degree within the area of biomedical sciences.  His future plans are to obtain a clinical research position within a major hospital, working to fight immune diseases.

Denzel said, "THON is Penn State's identity.  I was introduced to THON my freshman year through caning trips with my fraternity.  Canning (collecting money on the sides of roads from passing vehicles) and other efforts to raise money for kids with cancer changed for me after experiencing my first THON weekend in February of 2011.  There was so much excitement, happiness, and love.  During the last hours we had the opportunity to listen to personal stories from THON families.  The combination of stories being combined with the videos of THON kids displayed fueled my determination to want to increase my fundraising efforts for the next year.  The experience of the last four hours of the dance marathon cannot be measured.  The emotions are at an all-time high and the minutes leading up to the total reveal ingrains the greatest amount of anxiety.  My freshman year, the THON total was a 9.5 million and to think over the course of my four years attending this university, we were able to make it to 12 million.  When thinking about the amount of money we have been able to raise, it excites me.  The first thought is the amound of kids and their families that are able to receive assistance helping to deplete their stress level. 

This year, I have decided to pair with a friend in order to independent dance.  In order to independent dance, pairs must raise up to $12,000 in order to secure a dancing spot.  Dancers are picked lottery style and every $1,000 raised, pairs are guaranteed another ticket into the lottery.  Dancing in THON is something I have included on my bucket list! 

I would appreciate the support of family, friends and especially the support of my hometown community.  Together, we can achieve my goal of becoming a dancer in THON 2014 as well as help the lives of innocent children living with cancer."

How can you help?  Thonvelope:  Donate via check made payable to THON.  In the memo section include Robert Barrya nd Denzel Middleton #484.  Mail the donation to 340 North Burrorwes Road, State College, PA 16801; donate online at THON.org, click donate now, hit the click to support organization or dancer of your choice and find the names Robert Barry and Denzel Middleton and then fill out the rest of the information; matching programs are set in place for individuals who may want to match with companies/businesses what we make in alternative fundraising; community and high school support through alternative fundraising such as hat day, volleyball or basketball tournament, concerts, dinners, donations, homeroom wars, etc.  Donations can also be placed in the THON boxes located around town.