THON: FOR THE KIDS

THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, referred to as THON, is dedicated to the quest to conquer childhood cancer. 37 years ago, THON consisted of 34 Penn State participants who worked together and raised $2,000. Last year, with over 15,000 participants, THON raised over $6 million.

Every year in February, the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, holds a 46 hour no sitting and no sleeping dance marathon, all proceeds benefiting The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children's Hospital.

• Childhood cancers are the #1 disease killer of children - more than asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and pediatric AIDS combined.
• Cancer in childhood occurs regularly, randomly, and spares no ethnic group, socioeconomic class, or geographic region.
• One in every 330 Americans will develop cancer by the age of 20. On the average, 12,500 children and adolescents in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer each year.
• On the average, 1 in every 4 elementary school has a child with cancer. The average high school has two students who are a current or former cancer patient. In the U.S., about 46 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer every weekday.

These are just a few of many facts, which compel students to become involved. The success of THON would not exist without the effort and support of Penn State students and Alumni, not only in Pennsylvania, but across the entire world.

THON is just one of many things that makes Penn State such a unique University. The unity portrayed at all the Penn State campuses across Pennsylvania, and the dedication and commitment of students, faculty, and Alumni, is nothing short of admirable. Everything is always FOR THE KIDS.

http://www.thon.org/