THON Candlelight Vigil Unites Students, Pays Homage to the Bereaved

Story posted February 7, 2019 in CommRadio, News, THON 2019 by Sebastien Kraft

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The THON Family Relations Committee held its second annual candlelight vigil in the HUB-Robeson Center Tuesday night.

Emotions ran high as students paid their respects to fallen victims of pediatric cancer, who are known as angels, amidst numerous luminary vigil bags. Committee captains Dylan Knaub and Luke Mallon helped organize the event.

“[For] Luke and I, our entire position is involved in spreading the angels’ light and spreading the angels’ message,” Knaub said. “So throughout the year we’re constantly reminded of the angels’ stories and we work a lot with the families that these angels were a part of.”

Lizzy Demarshall is the director of the Family Relations Committee. This is her third year participating in the 46-hour dance marathon, which begins Friday, Feb. 15. She said the event takes place entirely on its subjects’ behalf.

“It’s just so beautiful to see the light of these angels because we know that they touch us every day,” Demarshall said. “When you look at their faces and see their names and see the light that truly shines, we know that this is the reason why we THON.”

 

 

Sebastien Kraft is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email sck5271@psu.edu.