I have noticed that every year there's a debate about people's motives for participating in the dance marathon, and I'm sure the disagreements are going to go on forever, just like arguments about religion and politics.

But if students really do join Thon just for the competitive aspect of it, or for personal or organizational pride and smug self-satisfaction, then why fight it?

I say let them.

Whatever people's motives are, the fact of the matter is that millions of dollars are raised each year to help families pay for their children's cancer treatments.

I don't know exactly how much these treatments cost on an individual basis, but I'm sure the expense is not trivial.

This is one of those instances, I think, when the end justifies the means.

Personally, I believe we should be entitled to see the results of an independent third party's audit (if such a thing exists) of where all that money is going, because I'd want to be sure that those kids are getting all the money they can.