We all know how successful THON is, and considering that it's run by students makes it all the more amazing. This week is Jimmy V Week at ESPN, and my personal feelings aside, they do an amazing job of raising awareness for the Jimmy V Foundation. For anyone unfamiliar with ESPN's efforts to raise money for the Jimmy V Foundation, they have live auctions throughout the day of various prizes. I'm not sure what they have this year, but it undoubtedly has a lot of opportunities to meet various celebrities and attend amazing sporting events.

So how does THON, driven by students standing along the side of the road with cans asking for spare change compare to a philanthropic endeavor by the largest sporting news outlet in the world offering first class prizes and one in a lifetime experiences? In 2011, per the Jimmy V Foundation, ESPN's efforts generated a record high $1.3 million. That is only 12% of what THON was able to accomplish with their total coming in at $10,686,924.83. This was not intended to make ESPN look bad, or to criticize their philanthropic endeavors. I just wanted to make this comparison so that all those involved in making THON the success it is can gain a little perspective. You have accomplished something through hard work and dedication that some of the biggest entities in the world are unable to come close to, and that's something you damn well should be proud of. To everyone involved in THON, you have my sincerest gratitude and greatest admiration.