Thon has officially begun.

After a 10-second countdown by overall chairman Mike Funk, about 700 dancers stood up in the Bryce Jordan Center (BJC) to start the 46-hour no sleeping, no sitting dance marathon.

However, an hour before kick off, the dancers were visited by the founder of the Four Diamonds Fund, Charles Millard.

Millard said he founded the Four Diamonds Fund after an emotional journey with his son's severe cancer diagnosis in 1970.

"It was the Penn State students that really breathed life into our fund and put us on the map," Millard said.

Millard said his son's cancer was so severe it was unfortunately incurable. Today he's just excited to be at Thon.

"Just being here is such a high and such a thrill," he said. "It's quite fantastic."

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon and the 30th Anniversary of Thon's pairing with the Four Diamonds Fund.

Over the years, no family has ever been turned away by the Four Diamonds Fund, which assists families through a child's cancer treatment, Thon PR Overall Megan Kendrick said during a pre-Thon press conference.

The Ostott family also shared their story at the press conference as well thanking the Four Diamonds Fund for its assistance.

"We didn't have to worry about any medical bills," Sharon Ostott said. "We just felt like an entire weight was lifted off our shoulders knowing we had this life support."

Now 9-year-old Ashley Ostott tells her mom Sharon that one day she'll go to Penn State and dance in Thon.

"Because of everyone here at Penn State, Ashley is here today," Sharon said.

This year also marks the first time Thon will be held in the Bryce Jordan Center -- a venue that will seat triple the amount of people as Rec Hall did, Kendrick said.

Move-in this morning began at 5 a.m., and committees "just kind of had to start from scratch" Thon Overall Mike Funk said.

New floor mats this year will help with dancer comfort, Funk said. The mats are special anti-fatigue flooring, covered with an OPP tarp.

With 2000 students in and out of the building today for set up, now the committees and overalls are ready to go.

"We're full steam ahead and ready to kick off Thon 2007," Funk said. "We are certainly hopeful to pack the Bryce Jordan Center."

PR Captain Colby Wesner who danced last year said, "It'll be the biggest emotional and physical journey that any of these kids have ever been on."