Alumni Share Why They Danced in THON

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa – 46 hours for the cure.

Penn State’s Dance Marathon, commonly known as THON, is the largest student-run philanthropy organization in the world, culminating in a 46-hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon to raise money for kids fighting pediatric cancer.

The highest honor is to dance in THON, which both Mike Luttenberger and Caitie Hanley did.

Luttenberger, who danced in THON 2023, shared his experiences as part of A-7, a THON organization.

Luttenberger found out he was dancing about a month before THON, which was a quick turnaround, but he quickly adjusted to a routine of getting enough sleep, cutting out alcohol and caffeine and stretching.

He described the Thursday before THON, saying that it was just a “normal day” and that he took time to pack his bag with his necessities, like toys and games to occupy his mind.

“Sometimes, I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I just wanted to zone in and do my word search or play with my Rubik’s Cube. I mean, I sound like a kid, but those just occupied my brain for 46 hours,” Luttenberger said.

The day of, Luttenberger slept for nine and a half hours, did a show for Centre County Report and then got into a car and headed to the Bryce Jordan Center for the next 46.

Luttenberger’s advice for this year’s dancers is to “cherish it.”

“Smile and know what you’re doing it for, because it’s fun… it’s a great thing for yourself that you can say you conquered something. Most people in your life probably can’t say they stayed up for 46 hours, but the main reason you do it is to raise money for pediatric cancer,” Luttenberger said.

“Keep that in your mind whenever you’re down: you’re doing it for a greater cause.”

Hanley danced for the Penn State Cheerleading team in THON 2023 as well.

Hanley had been involved with it since her freshman year and had wanted to dance since.

“We found out after practice that night who was dancing, and it was just so exciting,” Hanley said.

10 members of the cheer team were dancing that year, and Hanley said that was “the moment [she] really thinks of, when I found out we were going to be all dancing together.”

Like Luttenberger, she began to cut alcohol and caffeine out of her daily routine and also took precautions to stay healthy and minimize being around people who were sick.

The Thursday before, Hanley also packed up her bag and had a big spaghetti dinner with the rest of her dancing teammates, then went over to the BJC the next day.

The time isn’t displayed anywhere at the BJC, but everybody knows about the Final Four hours of THON.

“They were definitely really hard, but hard in a good way because it just really put into perspective why we do this, like reminiscent of the struggles that the families and kids are facing every single day,” Hanley said. “All I wanted to do was sleep but being surrounded by so much love and support.”

Hanley urges this year’s dancers to “take advantage of everything they provide you,” like the slides of strength and ice baths.

“Stay hydrated, eat and enjoy every moment that you’re there because it’s such a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You want to take advantage of everything they have,” Hanley said.

Adrianna Gallucci is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email amg7989@psu.edu.