Four Diamonds child Michael Palm was shooting everyone in sight with silly string, including his parents.

Michael, who is 8 years old, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was 6. He is currently in remission and has been enjoying Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (Thon) since 2004 with his two sisters Erin, 11, and Kelsey, 14.

Michael's mother, Barbara Palm said Thon is the support group the family needed during their stressful times. She said the time the Penn State students volunteer is not just to get something done to put on resumes, but to enjoy it with the Four Diamonds families.

"If this is any indication of our future, we have a lot to look forward to," Barbara said.

Laura Alfano (junior-elementary education) said she had to experience dancing for Thon because nothing she feels for 48 hours can compare to what Michael is going through.

Alfano, an Alpha Xi Delta member, said she knows that what she is doing has an impact on Michael and his family, and all she wants is for him to be safe and healthy.

"Michael brightens up my day," Alfano said.

The "Celebration of Life," an annual video showing the children who lost their battles with pediatric cancer to inspirational music and quotes, was shown last night.

Family Relations overall Mandy Cylc said the video is a remembrance of the children's lives and not just their cancer.

"We dance on because we know we will win this cancer fight," Cylc said.

Barbara said the video was a good way to remember all the past Thon kids. She said the family hour becomes an emotional time.

"You don't have to know them personally to know their pain," Barbara said.

However, the smiles of the dancers and kids throughout the weekend outlasted any tears.

Eric and Kyle Krushinski started a water war at 1:30 a.m. yesterday while they jumped on their big bouncy balls. Eric was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 2 years old and is currently in remission.

The boys' father, Jim Krushinski said everyone involved at the Hershey Medical Center and their Thon organization, Penn State Marketing Association (PSMA), are very dedicated to their family that it amazes him.

"These girls call us throughout the year just to see how we're doing," Jim said. "They go above and beyond."

PSMA dancer Ashley Rumbaugh said she just wants to give the boys a weekend away from all the pain they might be going through. Rumbaugh still let Kyle and Eric squirt her, even though she was tired, because she said when the family came, her energy level went up.

"They let me squirt them," said Kyle Krushinski. "Even though they say no, I still do it."

The dancers' fight for the kids doesn't end with Thon, appreciative families said.

Kathi Rohrbaugh's daughter Megan had a Wilms' tumor, a tumor on her kidney, when she was 4 years old. Megan is still in remission and is considered cured, Rohrbaugh said. Megan has been a Four Diamonds child and attended Thon for nine years.

"We always have a good time and we love being with our dancers," Rohrbaugh said.

She said their family's Thon organizations, Sigma Alpha and Tau Phi Delta, have been there every step of the way from the beginning.

"They keep in touch, even after they graduate," she said.