PSU raises $10 million in dance-athon

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., Feb. 19 (UPI) -- More than 10,000 spectators packed the stands inside Bryce Jordan Center Penn State University, University Park, to cheer on participants of a dance marathon.

The 708 participants danced for 46 hours, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, on the area floor to raise money for Four Diamonds Fund at Hershey Medical Center, which helps families struggling to pay medical bills not covered by insurance, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

"I had never seen that many people, the students and the families, so passionate about a single cause," said Lauren Richards, a Penn State junior who attended the event. "That really hooked me. I had to do more."

An annual event at the university, and the world's largest student-run philanthropy, has raised $78 million since it began in 1973.

This year the dance-athon made more than $10 million, the event's Facebook page boasted.

"I couldn't be more proud," said Penn State President Rodney Erickson. "These students are an inspiration to all of us."