Eight-year-old Charlie Karchner, decked out in a blue top hat and matching cape, couldn't wait to get his Supersoaker -- complete with water storage backpack -- filled so he could get back to drenching his next victim.

"My favorite part [of Thon] is shooting water guns," Charlie said as he paused to squirt a passing dancer. "We get water guns so we can have wars."

During the 48 hours of the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, Four Diamonds children could be seen everywhere -- some dancing, others playing catch and many armed with their own super-soaking squirt guns.

Hula hoops and deflated balls were scattered across the floor of Rec Hall this weekend.

Water coolers sat around the perimeter of the dance floor to provide ammunition for the water fights. Excited children eagerly pushed through the crowds to be hoisted on the shoulders of those taller than them.

The Karchners were one of several families that came out to celebrate Thon this weekend. The family came to support Charlie, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on Oct. 19, 2001, and just finished his last session of chemotherapy in January.

"When Charlie first got sick, a bunch of my friends and me sold some of our stuff, like our seashells, and gave the money to my mom to give to cancer research," said 9-year-old Kayla, Charlie's sister.

Nearby, 10-year-old Sophie Restall was enjoying her fifth consecutive year at Thon.

Adorned with a princess tiara, Restall, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2000, has been in remission for the past four years. "I like being here -- it's fun." she said. "I played my clarinet in the variety show, and I'm looking forward to seeing a bathroom break."

Even when the dancers started to slow, Restall kept moving.

Around her, children threw footballs, hula-hoop and jumped rope to keep their sponsors energized and motivated.

"A lot of good things happen here," she said. "Thon raises money for kids like me and without it, it probably would be a lot different for kids with cancer."

Restall said that if she had it her way, she would stay for the full 48 hours.