DUNMORE, Pa. — THON, the two-day dance fest on Penn State's main campus, is this weekend, and three students from Penn State Scranton will be joining in the nonstop marathon.
There was a celebratory sendoff inside the Study Learning Center at Penn State Scranton for three dancers participating in this year's THON event. They were selected to be in the crowd of thousands of other Penn State students and will spend nearly two days taking part in the nonstop dance marathon to raise money for children battling pediatric cancer.
"It's really important because even though we have a small student population, we've worked really hard all year to support THON. I'm super excited to represent our campus and all the hard work we've all done," Abby Gaebel said.
Penn State Scranton has raised more than $26,000 for this year's event.
RELATED: Here's how to watch THON 2024 live
Ashley Torres says it will be a challenge to spend 46 hours without sitting or sleeping, but it's all for the kids.
"Fighting for more birthdays and more smiles and for our THON child Arelis Rodriguez because she's like the center of why I THON because all of what we do, she directly gets impacted by it. She's going through treatment right now, so everything that we've raised helps her so that she doesn't have to see any bills," Torres said.
"When you're on the floor, there's no negativeness. It's all just positive. Everyone's trying to make you feel better. Everyone's excited. Everyone knows what they're doing. so just taking all those emotions in," said Mahek Gandhi, a PSU Scranton dancer.
Each dancer has been preparing for THON by adopting healthier habits in their diet and exercise routines.
"Cutting out caffeine was really tricky, and I've just been trying to get my steps in more, eating healthy. And I think number one, keep a positive attitude," Gaebel said.
THON kicks off inside Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center at University Park this Friday night and ends on Sunday afternoon.
RELATED: Here's how to watch THON 2024 live