How long could you last in a fight? Five minutes, 10 minutes maybe? What if that fight was for your life?

Shippensburg University’s Mini-THON challenges SU students to raise their fists in the fight against pediatric cancer this Friday, Nov. 7, in the ShipRec Recreation Center.

Mini-THON is a nine-hour night of games, dancing and celebrating life to raise money for the Four Diamonds fund, which supports pediatric cancer research.

Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital receives support from Pennsylvania State University’s annual THON, individual donors and dozens of Mini-THONs. Since its founding in 1972, the Four Diamonds fund has aided more than 3,300 children and families, according to fourdiamonds.donordrive.com.

“Every penny counts to help the kids,” Kirsten Ashworth, entertainment co-chair, said.

SU’s Mini-THON will begin at 6 p.m. and last until 3 a.m. on Nov. 8. Now in its third year, Friday’s event’s theme is, “Dance lightly through life.”

The night will begin with stories from Four Diamonds families who fight cancer every day.

A pep rally will pump the crowd up for the long evening and several bands will play throughout the night. There will be a variety of games to partake in as well as a Zumba dance session.

SU’s Mini-THON fundraises all year for the event by canning, hosting community nights, and using the donor drive website. Last year participants raised $14,495 for the Four Diamonds fund.

The amount of funds collected is kept secret until the very end of the night.

“My favorite part of past Mini-THONs is the last two hours before the reveal,” Maura Coyne, special events chair, said.

“As odd as that may be, I feel like when everyone is dragging and exhausted at 1:30 a.m. is when everyone is the most spirited and energetic,” Coyne said.

Tori Prouse, communications chair, also finds the final hours of Mini-THON to be the most exciting.

“It’s almost as if in that moment, cancer is silenced just temporarily, and in your heart you realize what an impact this event has made in the lives of others and upon yourself,” Prouse said.

A minimum $20 donation is required to attend Friday’s event, and a T-shirt is included. Those interested can pay at the door or register ahead of time through Ship Mini-THON’s donor drive page online.

Mini-THON meets every Wednesday at 9:20 p.m. in CUB 119. The organization is divided into various committees, such as special events, entertainment and communications. Those interested in joining Mini-THON can attend a meeting and decide what committee works best for them.

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