While most of the Interfraternity Council/ Panhellenic Dance Marathon's 48 hours are thought of as a celebration, 13 minutes yesterday were dedicated to the memories of Four Diamonds Children who passed away in the last year.

Before the videos, which were shown in both Rec Hall and Waring Commons, were over, the sound of runny noses and tears from those in attendance could be heard in the background.

Dancer Matt Baltsar (senior-management systems and information sciences) said the video was one of the most emotional parts of Thon.

"Most of the 48 hours are fun, but when you watch something that emotional, you realize why you're here," he said. "You realize what you're doing and why you're doing it. It just all comes together."

The video was shown in both Waring Commons and Rec Hall because of requests in recent years by Four Diamonds families who missed the video while doing other Thon activities, Family Relations Captain Heidi Paquette said.

Steve Stauffer of York was at Waring Commons with his son, Brennan. The 6 year old is in his third year of cancer remission. Stauffer said the video was very special to see and made him thankful his son was still with him.

"There was a number of nights we thought we were going to lose him, but he always pulled through," he said.

Doris Golebiewski (junior-speech pathology) danced for an organization whose Thon child's life was celebrated in the video.

"When you watch the video, it really picks at your heart and opens it," she said. "It brings about a huge emotion that you can't explain."

Rebecca Miller of Elizabethville watched the video with her husband and their two sons. Josiah is 4 and was diagnosed with cancer two and a half years ago. He was scheduled for three years of treatment, which will be completed soon.

Miller said the video, though sad, was important to see.

"It's so good; even though he's doing well, it puts reality back into it," she said. "You know that not everyone makes it; I'm just so thankful that he's doing so well."

Dancer Nicole DelVecchio (sophomore-advertising) agreed with the other dancers and said she found the video very touching.

"When you see these amazing children who have died, along with families and survivors, it is very inspiring," she said.

Paquette helped edit the video. At the beginning of the year, Thon organizers mailed bereaved families a letter explaining the video and asking if the family wanted to be a part of it, she said.

Participation was completely optional, and eight children were highlighted throughout the video. In December, they started putting the video together by looking at the photographs and letters submitted.

"It was difficult to make, mostly because we wanted to honor their lives," she said.

Paquette said they also called the families several times and talked with them about their loved one.