Pittsburgh area grads contribute to THON success, help fight pediatric cancer

Local high school alumni will be getting their groove on for a good cause later this week.

Erik Frantz, Olivia Ahr and Jennifer Gustafson, each from the Highlands School District Class of 2018, along with 2020 Norwin grad Abby Bartos, are some of the local alumni who will participate in the 46-hour dance-a-palooza known as THON.

Sponsored by Penn State University, THON is the world’s largest student-run philanthropy committed to battling pediatric cancer.

It is scheduled to happen later this week, from 6 p.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Bryce Jordan Center in State College.

Frantz, 22, was recruited through his professional architectural fraternity, Alpha Rho Chi, two years ago.

“It was a truly life-changing experience,” said Frantz, of Harrison. “I didn’t want to leave for any of the action, and I stayed on my feet for a combined total of 34 hours that weekend.”

Founded in 1973, THON has raised more than $190 million through 16,500 student volunteers throughout year, according to Caroline Camp, THON family relations director.

Last year’s event brought in $10.6 million.

Money is funneled to the Four Diamonds fund at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital to help with families’ out-of-pocket expenses.

Since its creation, Four Diamonds has helped more than 4,800 children and families, Camp said.

THON is entirely student run, from building the stage to managing the concessions and handling the custodial duties.

During the days-long event, a crowd packs the university’s basketball gym and pledges that an appointee of their group will be on their feet for the entire 46 hours.

“This is a huge honor and something many people don’t have the chance to do because of how competitive it is to get a spot,” said Norwin’s Bartos. “The dancers spend the whole 46 hours on their feet but also not knowing what time it is until the final four hours are announced.”

THON-ers, through their commitment to dance or stand, or basically stay awake for 46 hours, provide Four Diamond children and families with emotional support, celebrate their successes and give them an opportunity to have fun despite what they are going through, Bartos said.

“People who stand the whole 46 hours think of it as a chance to honor the families by participating in something that is physically, mentally and emotionally taxing — kind of like what the child and family feels like going through cancer,” Bartos said.

Her journey began at age 5 when a close friend, Grace Ekis, passed away.

“I can’t remember many details, but I remember how I felt,” Bartos said.

“I often find myself wondering what she would have been doing during certain important milestones in my life, such as entering high school and then college. Grace’s family has continued to be a supporter of mine, and I am in true admiration of their strength, drive and courage to share Grace’s story and make an impact on others.

“I believe that is my job to share her personality and kindness with others, and continue her legacy by fighting for those battling pediatric cancer.”

Bartos serves as a resource for bereaved families and provides them with emotional support.

She helps develop a Celebration of Life video for THON “angels” that is shown privately to their families during the weekend events.

“It serves as a reminder that the support we give families through THON and as volunteers doesn’t stop when a child passes away,” Bartos said.

She also helps with a new project, the Angel Garden, where families can pen a message onto seed paper and plant a tree in the State College Arboretum.

“We have a candlelight vigil for families. … It is one of the most difficult times, but also holds so many happy memories for the family,” Bartos said. “The families have actually expressed with us that they can truly feel their child in the THON weekend. That is such a special gift we can give to people.”

Separate fundraisers that contribute to the THON total are scheduled from July through February.

Ahr, 22, of Harrison said, “I THON so no one has to go through this journey alone.”

Ahr’s family has a long history of participating in the dance fundraiser. She recalls livestreaming the event into her living room during high school.

“I sat there mesmerized by the amount of people that crowded into the (gym) for this event,” Ahr said. “I knew that when I entered college, I would want to be a part of something this big and share the importance of their mission.”

In 2021, when the lingering covid-19 pandemic shut down the thought of a packed gym, THON organizers transformed the event into a virtual fundraiser.

Frantz danced for days in the fraternity house living room, with his parents and roommates as spectators.

“They managed to keep me entertained and on my feet for the entire 46 hours,” he said. “I FaceTimed fellow participants to stay united for our cause. Dancing virtually was a unique experience I will never forget and inspired me to want to dance again in-person this year.”

For Frantz’s high school classmate, Gustafson, 22, a mechanical engineering major, participating in THON is the fruition of a long-held goal that started as a teen.

“Growing up, my younger brother had a friend named Matt who was an optimistic little boy with a heart of gold,” Gustafson said. “Everywhere Matt went, smiles and laughs followed. He would make anyone laugh with his numerous jokes even in the hardest of times.”

She recalled Matt’s passing in 2016 and said the emotional toll that cancer took on his family, and the community, spurred her desire to help fight the disease.

She said that from her first semester at Penn State’s Behrend campus in Erie, “I knew I wanted to become involved with THON to join the fight,” she said. “My dream is to see a day in which pediatric cancer is no longer a threat, a world in which no child, family or community has to endure the pain of losing a bright, young presence.”