From Me to You

From Me to You is an old Beatles classic, released as a single in 1693.  Like most of their early work, it’s a standard 1960’s tune focused on love and affection (Unlike the more bizarre experimental writing of their later years.)  From Me to You is appropriate for this week because of the tremendous outpouring of love and affection we just saw at Penn State through an incredible event called THON. 

I’d heard about THON before I came here, and while I’d always thought it sounded pretty cool, I admittedly didn’t know much about it and had never attended the event.  As the date drew near, more and more people started talking about THON around campus.  Amidst the excitement and praise, I also heard some surprising criticisms.  “THON’s not really for the kids, it’s just a big party for the students.”  “People only do THON so they can go to socials on the weekends.”  Last Friday, I was definitely curious to see for myself what THON is really all about. 

I don’t know exactly what I was expecting, but I was completely surprised by the mass of color, the uncomfortable heat, and the general excitement and energy flowing from the BJC.   Everyone had smiles on their faces – I could tell right away that THON is a really fun event.  At first, however, it did sort of seem to me like a big party for Penn State rather than a battle against childhood cancer.  The ratio of students to THON children and families was way out of balance and the hourly line dance lyrics didn’t pertain to kids at all.  Over the course of the weekend, however, my opinion completely changed.

On Saturday, the Penn State Blue Band hosted a “Make a Wish” event for THON children.  As a member of the band, I spent my afternoon with some of my friends teaching kids to high step and march Blue Band style.  Watching their excitement as they banged on snare drums and tried on our marching hats was touching, but I was really struck by the happiness and pride emanating from the faces of their parents.  Many THON children are so young that they don’t understand the magnitude of their circumstances, but their moms and dads know just how unfair the cards are that their sons and daughters were dealt.  It’s so sad.  But when I saw the smiles of these parents as they whipped out video cameras, close to tears as their tiny children high-stepped holding the hands of Blue Band members, I realized just how impactful THON is and just how important the kids really are.

There may be more students than kids at THON, but the event is truly special for the children and their families who attend.  The Dailey Collegian described one young cancer victim’s experience : “Lauren loved THON, more than she loved Christmas.”  For many children whose lives are spent in and out of hospitals, THON is the highlight of their year.   THON is a giant party, but it’s a party to celebrate the lives of these kids and give them unforgettable memories.  It’s a commemoration of Penn State students because we are a community that reaches out, that says “If there’s anything that you want, If there’s anything I can do…” We marvel at the strength of the dancers as they stay on their feet for 46 hours, representing the even greater strength of the kids who battle cancer everyday.   Each year, we offer our hands to families who are suffering, saying “Just call on me, and I’ll send it along...”  When the students of Penn State join together at THON, we make a difference FOR THE KIDS “With love from me to you.”

"With love from me to you...

To you, to you, to you."