READING, Pa. – Inside this room tonight, there’s laughter, there’s music, and there’s purpose.

As students and volunteers put the final touches on Inspire the Night, Penn State Berks’ annual fundraiser benefiting THON, one mother’s story grounds the evening.

Ashley Sierra is here in support of the cause.

Her daughter, Gabbie, has been fighting cancer for the past four years.

“When you walk into a gala like this, as a parent, it is overwhelming emotionally, in good ways, wonderful, beautiful, magical ways, but also in such a heavy way,” Ashley said.

“My daughter made it, and I’m so lucky that she did. But there are going to be families here tonight whose kids didn’t.”

Penn State Berks students have spent months preparing for this night, all to support pediatric cancer research and families walking the same road Ashley’s family has traveled.

“Penn State created this dance marathon where students raise money all year long,” said Lindsey Giacobello, a student leader with Penn State Berks Benefitting THON. “THON itself happens in February, and we fundraise from July through February to support families and research.”

This year’s goal: more than $20,000.

“I want to end tonight with a smile on my face,” said Paige Brightwell, another student organizer. “I want to be able to give our families the biggest smile that they can.”

And the impact doesn’t stop there.

Downstairs, the same space will transform again, this time for the Dance for a Cure Winter Formal, organized by the Moms Club of Sinking Spring in partnership with the Reading Fightin Phils. The event welcomes young children and their families, raising money for kids battling leukemia at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

“I do this so that no family ever has to fight alone,” said Olivia Rice, a Penn State Berks THON organizer.

Information on donating and getting involved is available at https://thon.org. Supporters can also learn more about the Dance for a Cure Winter Formal, benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, through the Moms Club of Sinking Spring and the Reading Fightin Phils websites and social media pages.