Personally, I never thought announcing the individual totals was ever contrary to our cause. Hearing the huge totals had always inspired me to see what I could do the next year to reach their level of success. A healthy dose of motivation in this form does not hurt anybody, especially if it fosters an environment of continuous improvement. In fact, plenty of fundraisers do this.
But I really think we are making this a bigger deal than it has to be.
THON will still happen. The kids will still love us. The families will still invite us over for dinners and birthdays. I am confident that the Overall Committee is a positive force in our fight against this horrible disease, whether it announces the top 10 or the top five. After all, THON is a culmination of efforts from more than 300 groups, not just the handful who are lucky enough to be recognized.
It's important to remember who THON has never been about us. It's still and always has been For The Kids.
