Battling aching muscles, sore feet and overwhelming exhaustion, Roxanne Arndt ignored her physical pain and forged on, determined to conquer the 48 hours ahead of her.

Many participants in the annual Interfraternity/Panhellenic Council Dance Marathon experience an unforgettable emotional roller coaster as they "do it for the kids." For Roxanne Arndt (freshman-architecture), the event holds an even greater personal significance.

Her 3-year-old brother is one of the kids.

Two years ago, Jordan Arndt was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma -- a cancer which attacks muscles around the lungs. Jordan is treated at the University's Hershey Medical Center and receives chemotherapy about every four weeks, Roxanne said.

"The reason why I'm dancing is because the subject is so close to home,"

Roxanne said. "I'm not a medical researcher or doctor, so this is one small way I can help in his treatment and know I am really doing something."

Roxanne, the oldest of seven adopted children from Korea, called her younger brother an "inspiration" and said he masks his fear and uncertainty with a tough boyish exterior.

"The pain we experience is nothing compared to what the kids face," said Roxanne in anticipation of the extreme exhaustion, falling arches and strange hallucinations dancers often encounter.

In preparation for the big event Roxanne, a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, 15 Hiester, spent a week weaning herself off caffeine-loaded cokes, eating the right foods and getting sufficient rest.

Her dance partner Eric Thomas, who belongs to Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, 321 E. Fairmount Ave., did not go to quite the same extremes, saying he was relatively worry-free and emotionally psyched up.

8:15 p.m. Friday night: Only one hour into the Marathon, armed with a green nerf football in one hand and a plastic squirt gun in the other, Roxanne was pumped full of enthusiasm, excitement and energy.

"The best part is having Jordan and my whole family here," Roxanne said, looking on as her brother, donned in blue and white striped dungarees and a baseball cap, playfully swung his bat at the curve balls pitched by fellow dancers.

"He couldn't wait to get here and dance," said Jordan's mother, Sally Ann Arndt.

"I know it's doing him a world of good to be here and pick up on everyone's enthusiasm," she said.

Prayer and family have served as the greatest sources of support in coping with Jordan's illness, Jordan's mother said. Taking one day at a time and being thankful for each hour together is what gets the family through, she added.

The Marathon and its concern for all the children also helps.

"It has really touched my heart to see all these young people out here. I think they are great - I really do,"she said.

10:40 a.m. Saturday: Couple number 47 had now discovered the rather unappealing aspects of marathoning: aches, pains and exhaustion.

"My feet hurt the most and I just want to sit down and put them up," Roxanne said as she walked around in circles trying to revive herself.

Holding his lower back and shaking a drawn-out face, Eric said,"I know I want to do it but right now the aches are telling me something else."

2:30 p.m. Saturday: Thanks to lunch and some great massages by the morale team, Roxanne and Eric appeared to have gained their second wind.

"To lie there and have people rub your muscles were the best few minutes in the world," Eric said.

7:00 Saturday: Both dancers agreed that reaching the 24-hour mark was mentally and emotionally invigorating.

"I'm no longer looking to the halfway point I'm now looking to the end," said Eric with an air of confidence.

7:50 a.m. Sunday: After finishing a round of aerobics, Eric leaned over on the shoulders of a morale captain, gently swaying back and forth.

"I'm really crashing now," he said staring off into the distance. "That sign looks like its in Russian," he added, pointing to the wall.

Roxanne, sitting against a wall with her feet propped up, patiently waited as member of the medical staff retaped them.

"If you go get ice, they let you sit down for 20 minutes," Roxanne said slyly, nodding her head in the direction of more fortunate dancers.

2:15 p.m. Sunday: Quickly munching down a box of animal crackers, Eric was having his share of hallucinations.

"I feel good physically now, but mentally I'm not here," he said. "There are too many people in white hats and they all seem to be staring at me."

"He's holding his own," Roxanne said, affirming that her partner would pull through to the end.

4:55 Sunday: Suddenly Eric lost all feeling in his limbs. With only two hours left to go, crisis had struck couple number 47.

"You always hear about things like this happening, but its really scary when it happens to you," Roxanne said tearfully.

But, leaning on the shoulders of three morale people, Eric slowly nodded his head and gave a sign of thumbs up when asked if he could make it.

6:00 p.m. Sunday: Holding her brother Jordan, Roxanne walked on stage to join her family and others as they expressed gratitude to the marathoners.

"I just want to say thank you for all the time and love you've given for Jordan and the rest of the kids," said Jordan's mother, looking out on the hundreds of dancers.

7:02 p.m. Sunday: With the 48 hours finally behind them, couple number 47, had different ideas about how to spend the rest of their evening.

"I'm going to go out and party!" yelled Roxanne.

Eric, with slightly less exuberance simply said, "I want to go home and sleep."