The dancers won't be the only ones losing sleep this weekend.

Penn State University Police and Emergency Medical Services will be on site for all 48 hours of the Interfraternity/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

While the police are manning doorways, keeping an eye on security and turning away drunken people who try to enter, they'll also assist the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), university police Assistant Director Tyrone Parham said.

The EMTs are on site constantly to assist the dancers, who in the past have suffered from fatigue, nausea, and leg and foot pain during the weekend, said Dave Jones, manager of the Office of Emergency Medical Services at University Health Services.

"They work a lot of hours [Thon] weekend," Jones said of his staff, which has been present at Thon for years. "We know what to expect."

Parham said minor problems that typically happen during Thon weekend involve intoxicated students who try to enter Rec Hall -- an event that is mostly isolated to the nighttime.

"The whole event is a good-spirited event ... but occasionally you get someone who stumbles in," Parham said. "Generally, if the person reeks of alcohol, we'll turn them away."

Parham said police expect the heaviest crowds on Sunday, when the event ends and the amount of money raised is announced. The officers on duty volunteered to work and are paid overtime to stay up through the night.

But Parham said that like the dancers, the officers become swept up in the weekend's cause -- helping children who suffer from cancer.

"We look forward to it," Parham said. "The spirit of the event is really a positive thing."