Madison Kwiecinski 

News Editor 

Mvk5945@psu.edu 

Each year Penn State hosts THON, a 46-hour dance marathon aimed at raising money to combat childhood cancer. THON is the largest philanthropy group that is student-run in the world, and raises millions of dollars every year for the cause. The event raised $13.7 million to support families battling against childhood cancer this year. 

THON is an event that takes planning and cooperation throughout the entire course of the year. Penn State Behend sent five students to dance at the event this year. Behrend Benefitting THON, a club at Penn State Behrend, raised nearly $37,000 this year to donate. Tyler Riley, Samuel Andrew, Jordan Belfiore, Jennifer Gusafson, and Leah Kammerdeiner all traveled from Behrend to University Park to dance for 46 hours in support of the cause. 

After the virtual THON event took place in 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was an exceptionally exciting experience to attend the event in the Bryce Jordan Center, dancing alongside students from all Penn State campuses who share a cause. Many students also attend the event as volunteers or to provide moral support to those who danced for a cause. 

The event lasta for 46 hours and those who participate are not allowed to sit, sleep, or even have any form of caffeine. This year, over 600 dancers participated in the event. 

This year’s event marked the 50th year of THON, and made a record breaking amount of money to donate, with the event’s overall total reaching $13,756,374.50. The proceeds from THON go to the organization Four Diamonds, a national non-profit that funds the medical expenses for families experiencing childhood cancer at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and supports Penn State College of Medinie;s cancer research program. 

According to Kate Colgan, the Executive Director of THON 2022, THON was originally started by 78 Penn State students, and has grown to include over 16,500 student volunteers. 

“Reflecting back over 50 years, we are so proud to see how far THON has come and how college students can impact change when we come together,” said Colgan. “As a result of volunteers and supporters, we are now $13,756,374.50 closer to the day we dance in celebration of a cure.”