Today, July 1, we begin our fundraising efforts for the THON 2025 year. Today we Ignite The Fight against childhood cancer so that someday we will be able to dance in celebration of a cure. 

Ignite The Fight is an annual fundraising and awareness campaign generating excitement and preparedness for the upcoming THON year.

THON volunteers, organizations, and supporters are encouraged to set up or re-activate their DonorDrive accounts so that they may begin fundraising online. You can set up your DonorDrive account here.  

While THON Weekend may still seem like a long time away, now is the perfect time to begin planning your fudraising efforts for the upcoming year! Spread the word through social media and encourage your family and friends to donate. 

THON Weekend will take place from February 21-23, 2025. Let’s join together and Ignite The Fight for THON 2025! 

Ignite The Fight: July 1 

The THON fundraising window begins yearly on July 1, kicking off our efforts for the upcoming year. At this time, volunteers and supporters may set up their DonorDrives and start their fundraising events. 

Theme Reveal: Homecoming Parade 

The highly anticipated Theme Reveal takes place at the Homecoming Parade each fall, where the Executive Committee unveils the theme from their float. The THON theme for each year encapsulates the mission of our community as we continue to grow as an organization. 

THON 5k 

As the temperatures begin to drop, THON’s first major in-person event takes place just outside where dancers will be standing in a few months. The THON 5k is the largest pre-THON event and draws in runners and supporters from across the area. While the headlining event is the race around campus, attendees also enjoy live music, the Line Lance, family stories, and a mini pep-rally.  

Dream Forward and 100 Days ‘Til THON 

By mid-November, excitement for THON Weekend truly begins to build. B The Dream Forward campaign, lasting 17 days, is the largest push in pre-THON Weekend fundraising. Volunteers, donors, alumni, and supporters engage in activities in the State College area and beyond, such as dine-out nights, social media campaigns, trivia nights, and remembrance events. The Dream Forward campaign culminates at the 100 Days ‘Til THON event, which begins the final countdown until THON Weekend. Students celebrate in the HUB with performances from various organizations, a silent disco, hair donations, and the Line Dance. Finally, the Dream Forward fundraising total is revealed! 

Family Carnival and Logo Reveal 

As THON Weekend continues to approach, THON invites Four Diamonds families to State College for a day of games, dancing, and fun in early December. Committees and organizations set up booths for families to enjoy in the Multi-Sport Facility, and organizations and artists perform throughout the day on the main stage. There is even a mini pep rally! At the end of the event, the Executive Committee reveals the THON 2024 promotional video and the THON logo to the crowd. 

THON Showcase 

After students return from Winter Break, the excitement for THON Weekend can be felt across campus. THON’s talented performers have the opportunity to give the THON community a sneak peek at what they have prepared for us THON Weekend at the THON Showcase. Singers, dancers, and musicians perform and help to build excitement for all of the entertainment that we will see in a short time. 

THON Weekend 

It’s finally here. The official start of THON Weekend, the 46-hour no sitting, no sleeping, dance marathon is marked by dancers standing up at 6:00 p.m. Dancers enter the Bryce Jordan Center through a human tunnel, cheered on by fellow THON Volunteers. In the moments before standing, dancers make sure to stretch and get situated before standing for 46 hours. The THON 2024 Executive Committee begins a countdown 10 seconds before the anticipated moment, which is finally met with hugs and celebration. For the next 46 hours, dancers will embark on a journey of strength, courage, honesty, and wisdom as they take a stand against childhood cancer. 

Closer to a Cure Celebration 

After THON Weekend, volunteers and supporters celebrate their efforts at the Closer to a Cure celebration, featuring speakers from throughout the THON community. We reflect on our efforts as an organization and prepare to foster in a new year of fighting childhood cancer, For The Kids®. 

Since the first THON in 1973, there have been thousands of students who have danced in the 46-hour dance marathon. Recently, we had the opportunity to catch up with two Alumni who danced way back in the 1990s and hear about the impact it left on their lives.  

To set the scene, let’s take it back to 1993. The theme was “For All the Right Reasons” and THON took place in the White Building, lasting 48 hours. Dan and Leslie Lill (nee Israel) were seniors at Penn State.

Senior year…the last chance to make all those special memories with the amazing people you’ve met throughout your time in college. Well, Dan and Leslie decided to just do that by dancing together in THON as an Independent Dancer Couple, but also as an actual couple.  

When reflecting on what it meant to dance in THON, the couple said, “It meant so much to us! It was one of the proudest achievements in our lives. To be a part of something so meaningful and helpful is overwhelming. It was a true honor, and we feel so fortunate that we were given that amazing opportunity.”  

Little did Dan and Leslie know this at the time, but this wouldn’t be the last time the two of them would be making memories together at THON.  

Fast forward 30 years, and now they have two children attending Penn State. Andrew, a junior studying marketing is a part of THON as a Donor and Alumni Relations Committee Member, and Jordan, a sophomore studying Biobehavioral Health was a Dancer Relations Committee Member for THON 2023. Through their children being involved in THON, the Lills have gotten to see how THON has evolved since their time at Penn State.  

When asked how they think THON has changed for the better, Dan said, “THON has changed for the better by embracing new ways to reach the network of Donors for support. Many of the old ways of fundraising are no longer the way they were so it’s necessary to capture dollars through other means. It must be working given the results this past year during tighter economic times. We’ll need to continue to be creative to get the outreach for years to come in order to keep raising the bar.” 

Like most who are a part of THON in some way, the Lills’ favorite part of the weekend is Total Reveal at the end.  

Recalling her favorite part of THON Weekend 1993, Leslie said, “It would have to be at the end of the 48 hours when they announced the total that we had raised. To know that what we had just done would result in over a million dollars being raised for the Four Diamonds Fund* to help the kids was so amazing and emotional.”  

Dan and Leslie are both looking forward to Total Reveal again this year whether they attend in person or online. 

The Lills are an excellent example of THON not just being something you do for a weekend in February, but instead something that stays with you for life. 

*Now referred to as Four Diamonds 

THON is the world’s largest student-run philanthropy with over 16,500 student volunteers and of alumni and supporters! Students make year-round efforts to raise money to support children and families impacted by childhood cancer. THON Weekend takes place annually in February where hundreds of students participate in a no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon for 46 hours. However, the THON we know today didn’t become what it is until 35 years after the philanthropy’s start.  

The idea of a dance marathon to raise money for childhood cancer was proposed by IFC president Bill Lear in 1972. The first THON Weekend commenced the following year in 1973. Rather than thousands of students gathering in the Bryce Jordan Center (BJC), 78 students participated in what was called the IFC dance marathon. The volunteers danced in the HUB ballroom for 30 hours and raised about $2,000! THON did not become the official name until 1987, fifteen years after the dance marathons debut.

As THON’s numbers began to grow, some changes had to be made. Four years after the first dance marathon Four Diamonds became the sole beneficiary in 1977. In an effort to accommodate the increasing attendance during the dance marathon weekend, it was moved to the White Building in 1979. Then again to Rec Hall in 1999. Most recently in 2007, THON moved to the BJC and shortened the dance period from 48 hours to 46.  

THON’s continuous growth has allowed for many amazing milestones to be reached! In 1983 students raised six figures for the first time. Then in 1992 the million-dollar mark was reached raising $1,141,145.38. The most recent THON Weekend revealed a total of $16,955,683.63. This philanthropy knows no bounds when it comes to helping Four Diamonds children and their families. THON continues to grow and break new records. Throughout the 50+ years of THONs existence, the yearlong efforts that lead us to our beloved THON Weekend has helped 4,700 families. Despite all the changes through the years one thing has stayed consistent, THON’s mission. THON’s evolution has all been done For The Kids® in effort to help more families so one day we can dance in celebration. 

by Sadie Bagdasian 

As the holiday season continues to spread its joy, THON does the same. The gift of giving is a rewarding act of kindness and Penn State students continue to do so for THON all year round. However, with a long winter break and extra time for many, it is a perfect time to share the light of THON with friends and family! Keep reading for different ways you can fundraise and stay involved in THON over break! 

Gift Cards  

A popular time to receive gift cards is typically the holidays! Oftentimes, gift cards go unused, however they could be donated to THON as a part of the Gift Card Initiative. There are specific gift cards THON accepts and credits to your organization or committee. Some include Ace Hardware, Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Giant, Home Depot, iTunes, Lowe’s, Sam’s Club, Staples, Target, Walmart, Wegmans, and Weis. THON does not accept Visa/MasterCard gift cards because they expire. However, THON accepts other gift cards, but they may not be credited to a specific organization or committee. Another way to give gift cards to THON is by going to local stores in your hometown asking for a gift card towards THON. You can find more information about the GCI by going to think.thon.org → fundraising, GCI info → GCI Calling and Email Scripts → GCI Letterhead.  

Ribbon Sales 

The holiday season is a perfect time to host ribbon sales because of all the shoppers going out for gifts! Get together with friends in your area, create ribbons, bring a basket for donations, throw on a mask, and sell ribbons outside of stores! Prior to doing this, make sure you get your fundraiser approved and call the store and ask for permission to ribbon outside of their store.  

Donation Boxes 

Not only can you ribbon outside of stores with permission, but you could go into stores asking if you could leave a donation box in their store during the holiday season. Before returning to campus, pick up the Donation Box and bring it back to school. You can drop it off at the THON office in the HUB and credit your organization or committee! 

Create an Alternative Fundraiser 

The holiday season is a perfect time to plan and set up an alternative fundraiser! It is the season of giving and a great opportunity to give your friends and family something to do or be a part of. Ideas include: selling a holiday gift basket, bracelets, or cards! It is important that you head to https://think.thon.com and make sure you register your alternative fundraiser and receive approval. Once that is done, you are good to go! Proceed with your alternative fundraiser, make it fun, make it creative!  

Towels 

OPP needs towels and rags to keep mats and equipment clean throughout THON Weekend. Athletic training can also use towels for dancers. Going home for the holidays is a perfect time to clean up and clear out old towels or rags your family no longer uses! It is also a perfect time to ask extended family and friends to donate any towels they may have. When you come back for spring semester, Supply Logistics captains will be in the THON office to collect donations. Organizations can receive entries for priority in merch designs depending on how many pounds are donated. Committees can receive THON Wars points. IDC’s can receive extra ticket entries for the lottery! Collecting towels is a perfect opportunity for staying occupied over break!  

Conclusion  

Feeling extra generous during the holiday season? Instead of asking for a gift, share your Donor Drive page link to friends and family! Post on your social media with a holiday themed post. If gifted money for the holidays, promise yourself a portion will be donated to THON. Don’t forget a simple mention of THON is always beneficial and people love the gift of giving.Think.thon.org is always a resource to learn more and become more involved with THON! Use the resources tab for more info … and Happy Holidays! 

By Chelsea Bauer

Well, this is it, my last THON ever as a Penn State student. As surreal as this journey felt, it also had me thinking, “Wow, I wish I got involved sooner.” Unfortunately for me, I joined my first committee during junior year. Looking back as a senior, I wish I could go back in time and become a part of THON sooner. The happiness and joy THON brought me my last two years at Penn State is indescribable — every memory, laugh and smile a unique moment I’ll cherish forever.

My first time walking into the Bryce Jordan Center was mind-blowing. I could not believe how many students volunteered for such an incredible cause, all to help kids battling pediatric cancer. Throughout the weekend, there was never a time when a student was sitting down; everyone was dancing, laughing and just having a good time. Even some of the student’s parents were dancing. There was so much love and spirit in the air, it was amazing. This experience showed me the true reason Penn State was the school for me, and I don’t regret one minute of my time spent with this organization. It also showed me what family means. I always knew my captain, fellow committee members and everyone in the THON community was there for me and each other. They were strong leaders, with high energy which made me love this experience even more. Once a week leading up to THON we came together as a team and brainstormed ideas for THON Weekend. All of us were there because we wanted to be, not because we had to be. This created such a strong bond and I am confident I will always have my committee members and captain to lean on. Being involved with THON has been one monumental stepping stone in my life and helped shape me into the person I am today. I am forever grateful for my captains, committee members, and everyone who made an impact on this beautiful cause. 

If I could suggest one thing for an incoming freshman, it’s to get involved as much as you can from the first day you step foot on campus. Don’t look back senior year and have regrets because once it’s gone, you’ll wish you could relive it again. Create opportunities with the THON Community, build relationships (they will last forever, I promise), and always be present and a part of every event. Take my advice, a senior about to graduate, that this experience is something you cannot pass up. Be a voice, and help put an end to pediatric cancer, one day at a time.

The weekend is finally here and THON IS TOMORROW! After preparing all year for the most magical event on campus, it can be overwhelming to realize we will begin our 46-hour dance marathon tomorrow. As we embark on this journey together, Julie and I would like to say thank you to everyone who has helped in our efforts this THON year.

To all the dancers who will take on all 46-hours without sitting, remember why you decided to dance, who you are fighting for, and the strength you’re imparting on the children and families impacted by childhood cancer. We are so grateful and proud of you for taking on this challenge. 

To all the committee members, whether this is your first THON or last THON, embrace every single moment! It’s easy to get caught up in the little things, overwhelmed by the work and anxious about your shifts. But remember, you have been working so hard this year to create a successful THON and the time has finally come to see where all of your efforts have gone. THON would not be so successful without you and we truly appreciate all of your help.

To everybody who comes to the BJC, whether it’s for one hour or 40 hours, know that the families and dancers truly appreciate the support. The environment in the BJC during THON Weekend is unmatched due to your positive energy as you cheer in the stands. We could not do this every year without you.

For the families who come to the BJC this weekend, know we are so excited to see you, talk to you, share smiles and laughs with you and of course, learn the line dance with you! We are, and will forever be, inspired by the courage of your family and are so honored to spend the weekend with you.

Thank you to everyone who has supported THON this year! We hope to see you at the BJC this weekend!

Love,

Jordan and Julie 

Our yearlong THON efforts would not be fulfilled without the help of 46LIVE documenting our journey and THON Weekend every year. 46LIVE is a student-run organization supported by the Bellisario College of Communications. They live stream Family Carnival and THON Weekend and create profiles of dancers, interview directors, and other behind the scenes videos for the stream. 

The primary goal of 46LIVE is produce a livestream that allows viewers to experience the energy inside the BJC. As signified by their name, they livestream the entire 46 hours of the dance marathon. The team prepares throughout the year and works closely with WPSU to produce the livestream, which is accessible on the THON website during THON Weekend at THON.org/livestream. 

Originally, the organization began as a communications class, Advanced Live Production. However, after the class was no longer offered, students wanted to continue producing the livestream for THON and created 46LIVE, which the Bellisario College agreed to support. The organization consists of an adviser, Bill Hallman, executive producers, a senior production team and five groups of specialized members who maintain different aspects of the livestream.  

To keep up with 46LIVE, visit their social media at: 

Twitter: @FortySixLIVE 

Instagram: @fortysixlive 

Facebook: @46LIVE 

And remember to check out THON’s website during THON Weekend to keep with all 46 hours! 

Jackie Schwartz has known about THON for most of her life.  

Growing up with a dad who attended Penn State, Schwartz said THON became a part of her life as a kid and has stuck with her ever since. Growing up in Connecticut, Schwartz said her dad donated to canners and explained the importance of THON to her.  

“Before coming to Penn State, I knew I wanted to get involved in THON as it is something that is so close to my heart,”

Schwartz said. 

Since coming to Penn State, Schwartz was a Rules and Regulations (R&R) committee member during her freshman year, an Event Safety Training and Development Captain her sophomore year, an Administrative Assistant and Committee Relations and Canvassing Captain her junior year and she is currently the Hershey Tour and Committee Events Coordinator.   

At the young age of six, Schwartz said she can still recall her feelings of helplessness as she watched her mom struggle with the onset of cancer. It wasn’t for another two years and many tests when Schwartz’s mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma.  

“Because I was so young, the only thing I could do was rub holy water blessed from the Vatican on my mom’s back,” Schwartz said. “My twin sister and I massaged her every night hoping that one day her pain would go away.” 

Schwartz said she watched her mom endure 6 long months of chemotherapy, wishing there was something more she could do than show her mom love and support. Even though her mom has since been 14 years cancer-free, her family is reminded of the dark time every year as they pray for her mom’s tests to come back cancer-free.  

“No family should ever have to go through this immense fear,”

Schwartz said. 

When Schwartz’s mother was sick, she said she realized the best gift she could give her mom was support and she found that THON offers that same support to families impacted by cancer around the world.   

“I THON for every family to give them a little bit of magic, support, love and hope,”

Schwartz said.

For the past four years, Schwartz said each THON weekend has been more meaningful and special than the last. Her favorite THON memory occurred last THON weekend as she and her co-captains walked families to the BJC from the Lasch Building.  

“When we first walked into Lasch, I was taken aback by how special it was,” Schwartz said. “Seeing athletes play with children and use the workout machines as a playground was amazing. It showed how much imagination a child really has. The joy on the faces of the athletes, families, and children was breathtaking.” 

As an R&R Captain at the time, Schwartz said she was helping a mother and her twin boys cross the street safely. She remembers holding one of the little boys and talking with the mom the whole walk back. Once they arrived back at the lounge, Schwartz said both three-year-old boys gave her a kiss on the cheek.   

“At 3 years old, these boys took my heart,” Schwartz said. “Having seen them so happy to be with the big football players, to chatting with their mom about how special THON is, to the kiss on the cheek and seeing them run back into the family lounge where they were hugged by FR Captains was why this event is so special.” 

Even though the interaction was only 15 minutes, Schwartz still remembers it to be one of her most impactful THON memories where she was fully engaged in helping the family. 

In her four years being a part of THON, Schwartz said her biggest takeaway is to be empathetic towards everyone because ‘you never know what someone else is going through.’ 

“THON gives families a reason to smile through the hardest part of their lives, which will never end after treatment,” Schwarts said. “It provides children a safe place to run around and be happy without the fear of people looking at them funny.” 

Every THON volunteer has a unique story of why they became involved in the fight. Whether they chose to attend Penn State to participate in THON or became involved during their senior year, we all experience moments during the THON year which put the year-long effort into perspective and make the sleepless nights worth it.  

As a THON volunteer myself, we pull from these experiences when tiring after a long day of juggling THON work and classes. We indulge in the laughs of the children and smiles of the parents during each and every event leading up to THON and we cherish the 46-hour dance marathon, savoring the joy in the arena before preparing for the next year.  

There are times when it becomes difficult, knowing that our efforts may help children, but we have not yet reached our end goal, where we may dance in pure celebration that no parent will ever hear “your child has cancer” again.  

Steph Galetta, a fifth-year senior, has been involved with THON for much of her time at Penn State. From THON Chair of Club Water Polo, to dancer to THON Captain, she has participated in the workings of THON from all perspectives and found one of her most impactful THON moments to come from THON weekend 2019 during Family Hour. 

“As a dancer for my organization, I found my mind in a limbo: trying to balance the flood of raw emotions brought out by the family speakers while also trying not to think about the sharp, shooting pain I was feeling in my ankles. I stood swaying arm-in-arm with my fellow dancers, co-chairs, and our two Four Diamond families when the Dameshek family took the stage. Immediately our group tensed up, as Emilia Dameshek and Britt endured the bulk of their treatment together in 2012; Emilia was Britt’s best friend. I will never forget the glazed eyes and steady flow of tears rolling down the Wagners’ cheeks as they watched their dear friends speak on behalf of their bereaved child. Natalie Dameshek, Emilia’s mother, mentioned a friend named “Britt” and immediately the Wagners’ steady tears turned to weeps. In that moment, the physical pain I had been feeling immediately vanished as I was wholly consumed by the need to be there for Britt and support the Wagners in that moment,”

Galetta said.

Galetta has been a part of Club Water Polo for the past three years and during that time, gotten to know the Club’s Four Diamond Families, the Wagners and the Benders, quite well. 

 “Brittany Wagner (18), Kimberly Bender (6), and her twin sister, Allison serve as my daily inspiration and my organization’s driving force,”

Galetta said.

Galetta said she pulls from moments like these to continue fighting for a world where cancer does not exist.

“No family should ever have to go through what the Dameshek, Wagner, or Bender families have endured. No child deserves to be stuck in a hospital bed and no parent should have to hear the words, ‘Your child has cancer,’”

Galetta said.

She participates in THON for the Wagners and the Benders and for all the Four Diamonds families. 

“I THON so that no family has to worry about paying medical bills and can focus all of their energy on being by their child’s side while they battle this disease,”

Galetta said.