charity taken to the next level

                                                                                                                                                 Fred R. Conrad / The New York Times

Say what you will about Americans, but you can’t fault them for their enthusiasm and energy. Pep rallies, half time football bands, presidential elections – they do it well.

When I saw this photo story about Thon, which is a charity event that Penn State host to raise money for paediatric cancer I thought it was another example of just that - a decent show of support for a worthy cause. Until read into it a bit more and realised it’s a charity event that has consumed about a gallon of Red Bull – in a year they raised over US $12 million. $12 million! WHAT?!  

The idea is that students dance and stay on their feet in a test of endurance for 46 hours. The children that they are working to help come with their families to cheer the students along with support crews, friends and other students from Penn State.

Check out the images that NY Times photographer Fred R. Conrad captured here – he has shown the energy, emotion and underlying gravity of the event with in that brilliant American way, getting right in there with the participants as they dance, cheer and dance some more.