Remembering a Fellow Student Through Dance

Doylestown—Matthew Junker, a 2018 Central Bucks High School East graduate will participate as a dancer in this year’s Penn State University Dance Marathon (“THON”) to honor fellow CB East alumnus Ian Fay, who passed away from a rare form of cancer in 2019. Junker, who was chosen to dance for the Sapphire Academic Leadership Program at Penn State, will represent “Team 213,” a group formed by Fay’s friends to support him and his family when he was suddenly diagnosed in 2018.

“I am dedicating my opportunity as a Dancer to Ian Fay, a very close friend of mine and to many, and a hero in the Central Bucks community,” Junker said. “Ian’s battle with cancer has had a profound impact on my life, and I dearly miss his amazing personality and smile every single day. Through dancing at THON, I want to give back to Ian after all the wonderful memories and moments he has provided me and all he interacted with.”

When Ian Fay was stricken with cancer as a junior in high school, it also struck the CB East school community hard. Junker and a small group of friends formed “Team 213,” named for Fay’s lucky number, to lift his spirits. They designed t-shirts in the style of Philadelphia 76ers jerseys, a favorite team of Fay’s, and sold nearly 2,000 shirts to fellow students and the community over the next two years, with proceeds benefitting the Fay family.

THON, an annual event at Penn State since 1973, is the world’s largest student-run philanthropy. Committed to enhancing the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer, its mission is to provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness, and ensure funding for critical research—all in pursuit of a cure. The year-long fundraising efforts culminate in a 46-hour dance marathon, which this year will take place virtually on February 19th through the 21st. Proceeds from THON, which has raised $180 million over the years, benefit the Four Diamonds Foundation at Penn State Children’s Hospital.

Anyone who would like to join Team 213 in support of THON’s efforts can donate to Matthew Junker’s fundraising page.

Follow THON on FB live starting Friday evening at https://thon.org/livestream/.