With the commencement of the first canning weekend for the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, those going must be remember safety is of the utmost importance. It is encouraging to see that there are positive steps being taken to ensure safety for all canners.
After a car accident en route to a canning trip last winter took the life of Penn State student Courtney O’Bryan, THON has been making safety a priority in hopes of preventing any more accidents from taking place. Students who are a part of THON and go on the canning weekends now have the choice to travel by bus to canning locations.
Those canning this weekend also had to attend a safety workshop, which is made up of a video presentation that contains information on the safety procedures as well as a question-and-answer session with the committee members.
THON saw a problem and they took steps to fix it. But it doesn’t end there. Students canning this weekend need to remember to take necessary precautions at keeping safety their No. 1 priority. It is not about getting the most money.
It is not about breaking the rules or trying to beat a total. All of the money goes to the same place, and it’s all for a good cause.
Those students canning this weekend need to remember to follow protocol. Forget about any competition to raise more money than someone else. With a devastating loss for the Penn State community as we had last year, we don’t want to lose anyone else. Though O’Bryan’s death wasn’t caused by not following proper canning procedures, it reminds us that life is precious and we shouldn’t be putting ourselves — or anyone else — in danger. If students are acting out of line whiel traveling or fundraising, speak up.
If you see a group not canning in accordance with the safety rules, put a stop to it.
It is completely counterproductive to can improperly and, because of this, run into issues or harm. Canning weekend is meant to raise money for the Four Diamonds Fund at Hershey Medical Center.
All of this money goes to help kids with pediatric cancer.
Every cent made this weekend benefits these kids. We must remember that is why we are canning this weekend. As the weather gets colder, students canning must be wary of bad driving conditions, as well. If students don’t feel comfortable driving, then take THON up on their new bus option funded by the Courtney O’Bryan Memorial Fund.
The bus tickets will be available on megabus.com on a first come, first served basis. These buses will leave from the bus terminal on North Atherton Street and will travel to Philadelphia, Harrisburg and New York.
