PSULA to Host Screening of Documentary “Why We Dance: The Story of THON”

Sept. 13, 2012 - PRLog -- The Penn State Alumni Association Los Angeles Chapter (PSULA), along with WPSU, are proud to announce that they will be hosting an advance screening of the film "Why We Dance: The Story of THON." this Sunday, September 16, 2012. The documentary chronicles the annual 46-hour Penn State Dance Marathon (THON), and the children, families, and students who are changed by their experience. The film will introduce you to the inspirational children battling cancer and the Penn State students who participate in THON, dedicating themselves to making a difference for others. A trailer of the documentary can be viewed at http://wpsu.org/thondocumentary.

THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, is a yearlong effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer, which culminates with a 46-hour, no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon known as THON Weekend. In its 40-year history, THON has raised over $88 Million, for The Four Diamonds Fund, THON’s sole beneficiary. The Four Diamonds Fund assists childhood cancer patients and their families at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital through superior care and comprehensive support. The Fund offsets the costs of cancer treatment not covered by insurance, supports the medical team that cares for the children, and funds pediatric cancer research. Additionally, the Fund hires world-class medical specialists as part of its cancer fighting team, including oncologists, child life specialists, and clinical nutritionists. The Fund has also established multiple research endowments that impact children across the nation, including a research program that will allow for Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, bringing us one step closer to a cure. Info on THON can be found at http://www.thon.org/

The screening is being hosted by the PSULA and WPSU, the Penn State Public Broadcasting Station affiliate, which produced the film. This past January, PSULA hosted Lights Camera Cure – The Hollywood Dance-a-THON, a 6-hour benefit in for to support THON. Lights Camera Cure 2013 will be held on January 27, 2013 at the Avalon Hollywood. Info can be found at www.lightscameracure.com, which has been held by the Penn State students each February for the past 40 years.

The screening of “Why We Dance: The Story of THON” will take place Sunday September 16, 2012 at the Harmony Gold Theater at 7655 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90046. Doors open 2:30pm; film starts at 3:00pm. The screening will be followed by a reception immediately after. Free parking is available on site.

Tickets are FREE, but must be reserved in advance (RSVP at http://www.psula.org/article.html?aid=427 as seating is limited)


About THON
Since 1977, the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) has been raising money—now nearing $90 million dollars— to help The Four Diamonds Fund assist children and their families in the battle against childhood cancer. To learn more about THON visit: http://www.THON.org/

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