First of all- THON raised 9.56 MILLION dollars this year! Unbelievable. I am still in shock.
I am a Springfielder and also an OPP committee member for THON. Yes, it was my life, and yes now my life is over. So what do I do? Blog about it.
There are some iconic THON songs that anyone involved (or even not involved) know about. They are not just songs, they resemble certain emotions and certain moments that we all feel throughout THON. They resemble the passion that THON fundraising participants share, they resemble the unity. During THON weekend, the music propels THON, it's the fuel for the dancers, the standing supporters in the stands, the committee members and captains and the families.
I had heard over and over again that when they play "Angels Among Us" during Family Hour and the end of THON, you better find some tissues. I knew, as I was standing there with my fellow Springfielders that this time was coming. I knew that probably the most moving part of THON was coming. Finally, Angels Among Us came on and we held each other as our THON child was listed as one of angels that we had survived. It occurred to me that I had never heard the song before. I had no idea it was a quasi-country ballad and I didn't even know the tune. But, it didn't matter that country really isn't up my alley, it didn't matter that I had never heard the song before. What mattered is that we were all there together, supporting each other and supporting the families. Now, after hearing it just once at THON, that song is the most moving song in the world to me. It embodies what THON means to me and it reminds me why I have joined the fight against pediatric cancer.
We grieve, yes, but we also celebrate. We celebrate life and how the Four Diamonds Fund allows families with a child with pediatric cancer to live life as well. Cue "My Love is Your Love." Unfortunately it seems that Larry Moore (the THON DJ) is the only guy who has the right, upbeat version that we jam to at THON. It's only played once, and it's right after the numbers with total go up. We all look forward to it, we all have been aware that it hasn't been played all weekend and so when Larry hits it, we all lose it in the most joyous way possible.
My love is your love and your love is my love. It would take an eternity to break us.
And it would. I will be survived by THON. I will know that energy in that room until the day I die.
Sounds corny, right? Well it is, but it's heartfelt, and its something that anyone who has participated in THON before would tell you.
FTK
After spending 40 hours at THON this weekend, I think I know every single word and note from each of these songs. While they are all fun songs to sing, they also display a great message. Each of these songs not only inspires each of the dancers and supporters to stay on their feet, but also tells the kids to keep fighting. THON, while it is incredibly fun, serves that purpose. We do not only raise money, but we attempt to keep the kids going on through their illness. These songs are just one of the methods that THON uses to do this.
ReplyDeleteAgreed those THON songs really do capture the essence of THON! I was on a hospitality committee and spent numerous hours at the BJC last weekend and it was nothing short of wonderful. I was utterly amazed when the 9.56 million dollars came up! I can't help but get the chills when I hear Snow Patrol's Open Your Eyes and I fully adapted the "I wave my diamonds in the air sometimes, saying AYO...FTK-O" to the actual lyrics to Dynamite.
ReplyDeletePS I think you're in my two friends OPP committee, Kelsey and Martin?
I saw her pictures on Facebook!
I think the songs are really what make THON so special. Just like a football game where you have the iconic and repeating cheers that everyone knows, THON is the same way. Playing a song that everyone knows is directly related to THON, further strengthens the bond inside the BJC. I was only at THON for a few hours on one of the nights, but the songs I heard during that few hours will always have the connotation of a THON song, whether or not it is played in a frat or somewhere else. It's truly remarkable to hear everyone come together with music.
ReplyDeleteTHON is such a special event and I'm glad to see that you captured in song form. It creates a true bond that cannot be expressed with mere words. The power of THON, like music, oftentimes lacks the power to be expressed verbally.
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