Cancer, you're fired.

Last night, as the 48 hours came to an end and 704 dancers fell to Rec Hall's floor, it was announced that the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon raised a record breaking total of $4,122,483.65 for the Four Diamonds Fund -- $574,768 more than last year's total.

"All the overalls and chairs stepped it way up so we could pass the $4 million mark in fund raising," Overall Chair Seth Moser said. "I had no idea what the total would be even at noon today. It was a complete surprise."

For the tenth year in a row, Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, 321 E. Fairmount Ave. and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority took first place for the most money raised by a greek organization with $269,428.52.

Phi Gamma Nu business fraternity came in first place for most money raised by an individual organization with $54,405.43.

The Commonwealth Campuses were also represented at Thon this weekend with Penn State Fayette coming in first place with a total of $61,176.71.

In addition to the increase in money raised, spirits were also higher this year with a new record of 41 moral events.

Mail call, body massages, bathroom breaks and endless water gun fights with Four Diamonds children helped dancers pass the long hours of standing.

"During the bathroom breaks you get to lie down for a split second, get a massage and have tons of hands grabbing at you," Stephanie Leahy (senior-chemical engineering) said. "It's so much fun, but I think I ate some baby powder."

Throughout the weekend, the upbeat music rarely stopped, and smiles were widespread, but an emotional family hour yesterday reminded everyone why they were dancing.

Carrie Steele-King spoke to the crowd during family hour about her 7-year-old son Brayden's struggle with cancer.

"My son was diagnosed in 2001 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia," she said. "Being a Four Diamonds family has helped in more ways than I could ever explain. Thon is filled with love."

Although all the dancers were motivated to remain standing for the children, some dancers, like Adam Sarcia (senior-marketing), had personal sources of inspiration.

At age 15, Sarcia was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

"Being a cancer survivor and dancing sends a powerful message to the kids," Sarcia said. "I'm glad I could dance four years in an event that offers so much support to these children, when they need it."

--Collegian Staff Writers Joelle Hutcheon and Adena Schwartz contributed to this article