For 48 hours, the dancers cannot sit down. They aren't required to actually dance, but they must keep standing. Morale committee members are taught how to give foot and leg massages, which they provide instantly, whenever requested. But the inspiring moments come on Saturday afternoon, when many of the cancer patients and their families come to visit. The children and families are allowed on the floor with the dancers, and the energy in the building is remarkable.
Parents tell their stories.
The fraternities often adopt families and keep in contact throughout the year. Many of the dancers are related to cancer victims who have been treated at Hershey. When the children are on the floor, all of the students, not just the dancers, are no longer dancing for an anonymous cause, but for real children. With the success of the dance marathon, Penn State has been contacted to help other schools set up similar fund-raisers. But this one continues to be the largest run student-philanthropy in the country, proving that students can give their time, money and effort for good.