THON In The News

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 18:32
UNIVERSITY PARK — It was another record-setting year for the IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon. Thon raised $12,374,034.46, shattering last year's total of $10.69 million, for the Four Diamonds Fund. The total was revealed Sunday afternoon at the close of the 46-hour marathon, which has now raised more than $100 million for pediatric cancer patients and their families. “I feel like it really still hasn’t sunk in,” Thon overall finance chairwoman Jen Stipa said. “I was expecting that we would have a successful fundraising year, but when we calculated it, it was a surprise, I think, to all of us.” This is the second consecutive year Thon has raised an eight-figure total. The more than $100 million overall helps to take care of patients’ medical bills and fund research toward finding a cure, Four Diamonds Fund Director Suzanne Graney said.
Wed, 04/10/2013 - 18:27
I was driving my daughter home from college last year when we stopped at Penn State to visit a couple of her friends. I treated them to breakfast when they urged me to do a story on Thon. What? With passion and excitement, they told me about Thon — the world’s largest student-run charity, which is like a dance-a-thon, pep rally, rock concert and tent revival all in one. For 41 years, the students at Penn State — a university known more for its troubles than its triumphs in recent years — have raised tens of millions for pediatric cancer research and family care. They have raised so much — more than $101 million — that they have even financed a wing at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.
Wed, 04/10/2013 - 18:25
For the first time in the Penn State Dance Marathon’s 41-year history, pediatric cancer awareness supporters across the world can participate in the weekend celebration through “Dance With Us,” a globally-coordinated line dance. At 6:45 p.m., Penn State students, alumni and pediatric cancer fighters across the world can take part in “Dance With Us” by tuning into THON 2013 via Live Stream video on THON’s Facebook page.
Wed, 04/10/2013 - 18:20
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - February 9, 2013 (WPVI) -- Bend at the knees, then jump and reach for the ceiling with arms extended. Repeat as a catchy song echoes through the gym. The 30-minute fitness class for Penn State dance marathon participants was a just a tiny preview of the grueling 46-hour event for charity that starts Friday. The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon is billed as the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. For the first time, workouts were offered for the more than 700 participants, as well as the army of volunteers, to get in shape for the annual epic affair. "It's going to be one of the hardest things I'll do in my life," said junior Briana Marshall, a dancer. Two-steppers are urged to lay off caffeine and alcohol, and to get eight hours of sleep a night.
Fri, 01/04/2013 - 20:58
It’s a good thing when college students become acquainted with fundraising while they’re still in school, because they’ll be on the other end of the equation come graduation. (Alumni associations, anyone?) But when they put their minds to it, college students can be a fundraising force to be reckoned with, one that can pull off entertaining events and bring in huge piles of cash for fighting cancer, bullying, and any other worthy causes. These 10 colleges host the biggest bank-breaking fundraisers in the country.
Sat, 12/29/2012 - 16:48
UNIVERSITY PARK, PENN STATE - Each year, Penn State hosts THON, a dance marathon dedicated to raise money for children and their families affected by cancer. This year, there are close to 300 families participating in THON and Sunday, 94 of them were out on Penn State's University Park campus for a day full of fun and relaxation. If a smile says it all, then these kids and their families have spoken. "We come back for the people," Elaine Fazekas said. Year after year, Elaine and her husband travel two hours to Penn State's University Park campus.
Tue, 12/11/2012 - 23:02
UNIVERSITY PARK — Alex Radkoff fashioned his hands into a diamond as he cruised across the finish line. The clock read 16:40, and he had just beaten more than 7,000 registered participants. This year’s IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon 5K kicked off the Thon season in earnest Saturday as the largest 5K race in the history of central Pennsylvania.
Wed, 09/19/2012 - 15:40
The THON effort, run by the fraternity and sorority IFC/Panhellenic Council, culminates in a weekend marathon with participants dancing for 46 hours straight. Despite the scandal, the group brought in a record yearly total of $10.6 million last year. In its 40 years on campus, says the group's public relations chairperson, Cat Powers, it has raised more than $89 million.
Mon, 08/20/2012 - 12:28
UNIVERSITY PARK — Despite economic malaise and a crush of negative publicity about their university during the past four months, Penn State students raised a record $10.69 million to support families of children with cancer.
Mon, 08/20/2012 - 12:24
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The annual Penn State dance marathon has raised a record $10.68 million to benefit pediatric cancer patients, an event held for the first time without late coach Joe Paterno, officials said Sunday. The total, which shattered last year's record $9.5 million, was announced shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday to more than 700 dancers who had begun to tango and twist on Friday night to raise money for The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. The 46-hour IFC/Panhellanic Dance Marathon, billed as the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, has raised more than $88 million over almost three dozen years.

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