Penn State coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley made headlines in December. The woman, who had won the national title as a player, won it again as a coach, becoming the first female coach to hoist the NCAA Volleyball Championship trophy. However, what made her feat even more historic was that Schumacher-Cawley battled cancer along the way and continues to do so.

“I’m so fortunate to be surrounded by so many great people on this team and this staff I have,” Schumacher-Cawley said after winning the title. So now that one of those people is embarking on a unique 46-hour challenge to raise awareness for a similarly noble cause, the coach is ready to show her support.

A unique challenge to spread the word

The Penn State coach wasted no time expressing pride in the unique Penn State initiative. “There are SO many things and people that I am so proud of that are a part of Penn State. Thon is at the top of the list,” said the coach. “Students take part in a 46-hour-long, no-sitting, no-standing dance marathon,” added Schumacher-Cawley about the largest student-run philanthropy initiative in the world.

Their goal behind taking on such a physically extreme challenge? “To raise awareness and fundraise for children and families impacted by childhood cancer,” revealed the Penn State student-athlete-turned-coach. The 44-year-old was equally proud of the two Nittany Lions who signed up for the upcoming annual THON. “They will dance non-stop for 46 hours,” said the volleyball coach.

Falduto herself felt proud to contribute to the cause. After all, see how tirelessly their coach worked to earn a national title while battling cancer, empowering the whole team. “I am so excited and honored to dance in THON this year to join the fight against childhood cancer!!” wrote Ava Falduto, requesting the community to help her raise funds through the endeavor.

Schumacher-Cawley also shouted out fundraising captain Joce Nathan and managers “Vy and Arthi” for their contributions. However, the Penn State coach has grown even closer to the Tcause that THON champions, not just because she is fighting cancer. Katie Schumacher-Cawley has become invested, knowing who the earnings from this noble cause will support.

It’s personal for the Penn State coach

Showing up every day to practice during cancer treatment was no easy task. The toll it took on her became apparent on the day the Nittany Lions pulled off their epic semifinal comeback against Nebraska. “I’m tired… I don’t know about you guys,” said the former college volleyball player in the post-match press conference. However, the BIG10 championship-winning coach couldn’t have done it alone.

And while the Penn State coach never passes up a chance to praise the volleyball team and staff who supported her through the difficult journey, there was one more thing that helped the 44-year-old power through. And it was the children who she saw fighting for their lives every time Schumacher-Cawley went for cancer treatment.

“People talk about inspiration and things like that. I’ll tell you — there’s babies and younger kids that are really sick, that’s my perspective,” the veteran coach told ESPN. Every time Katie Schumacher-Cawley walked past the Children’s Hospital, the coach steeled her will to fight for herself and the people who supported her.

So now that the Penn State coach has an opportunity to read the word about childhood cancer, she’s doing her part. Schemacher-Cawley may not be in the state to dance for 46 hours, but she sure can amplify the voices of those who can. And that’s exactly what the former volleyball player has done.