Friday night the South High Marathon Dance returns for its 41st year. Over the past four decades, it's grown from a small gathering of classmates to what is believed to be the largest student-run fundraiser anywhere in the country. The proceeds of that fundraiser stay local and Matt Hunter spoke with one of the 42 recipients.  He is a man who has helped the dance become the phenomenon it is today.

SOUTH GLENS FALLS, N.Y. -- Brian and Sally Washburn's ties to the South High Marathon Dance run deep.

"The first year I helped with security it was $34,000 and now they are up to $862,000 or something like that,” Brian Washburn said. "I felt it was such a worthy cause that I stuck with it."

For each of the past 24 years, both Washburns have volunteered, with Brian helping run the dance's security. The father of two South High graduates looks after both the student dancers, and the recipients. 

"As the day goes on they get more and more energy and it is an unbelievable atmosphere,” he said. "It totally changes peoples' lives because a lot of these people are down on their luck and it really helps these people get a hold of life again."

Never once did Washburn imagine he'd be among those needing help from the annual fundraiser, but a bladder and prostate cancer diagnosis this past August changed that.

"I had my bladder and prostate taken out and they rebuilt my bladder out of the small intestine and that’s what I am doing now, in the process of recovering from that,” said Brian.

Going through three rounds of chemotherapy, Washburn's medical bills quickly piled up.

"All of those bills are not covered by the insurance, it is just overwhelming when you look at it,” Brian said.

Some of the proceeds from this year's marathon dance will help the Washburns get back on their feet.

"Just the wonderful people we have met and the way we all help each other, we have been paid back many, many times,” his wife Sally said.

Washburn is now cancer free, but he will step away from his security duties this weekend and enjoy the marathon dance as a spectator.

 “When I get there, there will not be a dry eye in the house, it is emotional, just overwhelming,” Washburn said.

He is a firm believer the power and spirit of the dance have helped him just as much as medicine.