Hundreds of students will begin dancing Friday night on the Penn State campus and won't stop for 46 hours -- and it's all for a good cause.

Thon 2008 will benefit pediatric cancer research and care. Hundreds of volunteers started their day at 5 a.m. to prepare the Bryce Jordan Center for the Thon.

More than 700 dancers will stay on their feet for 46 straight hours throughout the weekend -- without sitting or sleeping. In addition, more than 3,000 student volunteers will be taking shifts throughout the weekend by providing information, selling food and directing people around the facility.

Children suffering from various types of cancer will also be spending time with the dancers. Organizers said the student groups on campus -- typically fraternities, sororities and independent groups -- sponsor a family and raise money throughout the school year leading up to the Thon.

This weekend, those families will have an opportunity to meet the students who sponsor them

"It's very inspiring -- that's the best way to describe it. Everything we do is for the families and for the kids, so to hear their success stories, it just gives you chills," said Mike Petrasek, Thon spokesman.

Thon organizers said they hope to beat last year's record of $5.2 million raised for pediatric cancer research and care.

Stay with Channel 6 News and WJACTV.com for continuing coverage.