Who We Are

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Who We Are: THON™

THON is a student-run philanthropy dedicated to spreading awareness, funding research, and providing support to children affected by childhood cancer.

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What Is the Penn State Dance Marathon?

The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, otherwise known as THON, is a childhood cancer philanthropy. It is completely student-run at the Pennsylvania State University and attracts thousands of participants each year.

Students take part in a 46-hour-long, no-sitting, no-standing dance marathon to raise awareness and fundraise for children and families impacted by childhood cancer.

What started as a PSU dance marathon with only 78 dancers back in 1973 has blossomed into the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. As THON has continued to grow and evolve, it is now a yearlong effort that involves various events culminating in THON Weekend. Our pre-THON Weekend events, including the THON 5K, 100 Days ‘Til THON Celebration, Family Carnival, and THON Athletic Events, are aimed at providing emotional and financial support, spreading awareness, and ensuring funding for critical research — all in pursuit of a cure. 

How THON Fights Childhood Cancer

THON has been teaming up with Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital since 1977, and they have been our sole beneficiary ever since. Through our partnership with Four Diamonds, we are able to continue our mission of helping children fight cancer through financial and emotional support and drive the research for a cure forward. 

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Four Diamonds is an organization that helps families and children in their fight against childhood cancer. They ensure kids get the medical care they need, provide comprehensive support, and fund groundbreaking research to improve treatments — and ultimately find a cure. The organization has assisted 100% of child cancer patients undergoing treatment at the Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. And guess what? THON plays a big role in this! We donate 96 cents of every dollar we raise to Four Diamonds to fund their efforts.

The money we raise allows Four Diamonds to help families offset any costs of cancer treatment at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital that insurance doesn’t cover. But it doesn’t end there. Four Diamonds also takes care of the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs of children affected by cancer and their families. With over 30 specialty care providers on board, Four Diamonds is able to completely support their needs.

Our dedication to enhancing the lives of children and families fighting childhood cancer goes beyond providing the support they need — we’re also funding critical research.

We dream of the day we all dance in celebration together. That dream is the reason we are raising funds for research at Penn State Children’s Hospital, where some of the brightest oncologists from across the nation collaborate and move one step closer to finding a cure for childhood cancer.

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Making a Difference Together

Who Is Involved in THON?

We’ve got student volunteers, faculty, alumni of Penn State University, the THON Community and the amazing families we support. Our students organize everything. We have committees dedicated to various aspects such as fundraising, entertainment, and organization. 

We also have various corporate sponsors and generous donors who contribute resources and monetary support to make it all happen. Finally, the brave families affected by childhood cancer share their stories and inspire us all.

Get Involved

Thanks to our incredible donors and the community, Penn State THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world and one of the top childhood cancer nonprofit organizations. But we can’t do it without you. We rely on donor support to continue our mission and directly impact children and families battling childhood cancer.

If you want to get involved and play your part in making a difference, donate now. Together, we can create a brighter future for children battling cancer!

Get involved

Ready to Make a Difference?

To ensure that THON is able to donate 96 cents of every dollar raised to Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, we heavily rely on donor support. These donations provide us the resources to create endless memories for our Four Diamonds families & foster a deep love & connection to our mission for our volunteers through Pre-THON Events, alternative fundraisers, & THON Weekend.

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