On the road to the largest amount ever -- $671,572.92 -- raised by the Interfraternity/Panhellenic Council Dance Marathon, participants danced with everyone from the Nittany Lion, child cancer patients and doctors from the University's Hershey Medical Center Colin Quinn of MTC's "Remote Control."

"I don't usually see college kids doing something so unselfish for others. It's incredible," Quinn said. He said he came to the marathon because he knew one of the people who organized the event.

Reading comic books, watching TV and jumping rope were a few of the dancers' activities when they were not dancing. The White Building gymnasium was full of excitement during the 18th annual marathon.

Out of the original 536 dancers, 511 were still standing at the end of the marathon last night. The participants helped break last year's total of $456,617.90. Proceeds benefit child cancer patients at the University's Hershey Medical Center through the Four Diamonds Fund.

For the second year in a row Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, 328 E. Fairmount Ave., and Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, 101 S. Cooper, raised the most money for the Fund, totaling $146,206.42, an increase over last year's $112,618.83.

"Penn Staters everywhere ought to be proud because people like you are willing to sacrifice yourselves for others," said University President Bryce Jordan Sunday afternoon.

Jordan said Penn State has the largest student-run philanthropy in the country, which says a great deal about the students attending the University.

Since the first marathon in 1973, which had 39 couples and lasted 30 hours, the marathon has grown said Chris Bannon, overall chairman. He said he believes the marathon will continue to grow every year.

The child cancer patients and their parents visited the marathon throughout the weekend. The children lifted the spirits of the dancers by dancing and playing with them. Yesterday parents and board members of the Four Diamonds Fund danced with participants.

The gymnasium bleachers were packed both Friday and Saturday night with students supporting the dancers. Many of the dancers' friends brought food or small gifts to cheer them up.

By the end of the marathon, the dancers were tired but all said they felt good about what they had accomplished.

The Morale Team helped dancers endure the 48-hour marathon. At the start of the marathon the morale team taught dancers the line dance to "Just Can't Get Enough" by Depeche Mode.

The purpose of the line dance is to bring everyone together with a sense of unity and raise their spirits, Bannon said.