When the parents of the cancer patients walked on stage and thanked the dancers for helping their children have a fighting chance at life, few people could remain tearless.

As the parents walked off the stage with tears in their eyes no one in the White Building gymnasium was unaffected by what the parents had to say.

The dancers cried as they hugged and congratulated one another for successfully completing the 48-hour Interfraternity/Panhellenic Council Dance Marathon.

The children who will receive funding from the marathon to help pay for their cancer treatment spent a good part of the weekend playing with participants in the marathon. It was an emotional experience for everyone.

"This whole weekend is about survival," said Shaw Timtishin, father of Sarah, a cancer patient.

Timtishin added that the weekend is also about the hope for survival the dancers give the families.

The Timtishins have visited the marathon for the past three years, and this year their daughter Sarah is in remission, Timtishin said.

Throughout the marathon Sarah ran among the dancers, spritzing them with her squirt gun, or playing catch.

The marathon is one of the most positive, uplifting events of the year, Timtishin said.

"You people are unbelievable to get out here and put your bodies through this for us. It's amazing," said Ronald Powley to the dancers. His son Ronny was diagnosed with cancer a year-and-a-half ago.

Without the Four Diamonds Fund or the Dance Marathon, cancer treatment would be too expensive, Powley said.

"I was at the marathon last year, and I'm still amazed when I see all the people and all the dancers," Powley said.

"My little girl Ashley's 5th birthday is coming up on March 2 and thanks to the marathon she's going to see many more birthdays," Debbie Brinkwater said.

"I'm tired, somewhat confused, and hallucinating, but I'm doing it for the kids," said Stephen Shaw (junior-secondary education), one of the dancers.

All of the families said that they believe that thanks to all of the dancers in the marathon they are sure their children will survive.

"As long as there is a Penn State, and as long as there is a Four Diamonds Fund, there will be a dance marathon to help them succeed," said Chris Bannon, chairperson of the IFC/Panhel Dance Marathon.