There are a lot of ways people and organizations raise money to fund cancer treatment and research. Walks, marathons, and all that pink sponsored merchandise are some of the biggest. But what about a dance-a-thon?

That’s exactly what Penn State was thinking when they kicked off THON yesterday, a 46 hour marathon of non-stop dancing with no sleeping or sitting allowed.

The participants are trying to raise money to end childhood cancer.

“Words don`t even describe what`s in this room right now,” Shana Maschak, a student at Penn State told WNEP. “Come Sunday, when it`s at capacity, that`s the best moment of our lives, you know, we`re doing this for the kids.”

Every year since 1973, Penn State hosts a two-day Dance-thon to raise money to fully support pediatric cancer paitients. Last year, the fund raised an impressive $9.8 million dollars, making it the largest student-run philanthropy.

It’s been a tough year for Penn State, considering they’ve had to deal with a horrific child abuse scandal and the death of former football coach Joe Paterno.

Paterno was a great supporter of the philanthropic event, speaking there in 2009. He died of lung cancer.

“He’s in all of our hearts,” Jennifer Evans, a student, told the Philadelphia Inquirer of the late football coach. “But we still ‘THON’ on.