Latest news with #PanhellenicDanceMarathon
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
THON 2025 breaks previous fundraising record by more than $700K
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (WTAJ) — THON 2025 ended on another record-breaking high note at the Bryce Jordan Center Sunday. The totals for each category were announced in the arena, ending the fundraising event by revealing the total amount raised for this year broke the previous record. 'It's like a full circle moment. I really love being involved in THON, like, my [organization] is actually up there right now. And, I mean, I would always be in the stands with them. And now it's like they're cheering me on after all the family relations work that I've done through college. So it's an amazing time,' Aayod Kaul, a THON Dancer said. The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon raised exactly $17,737,040.93 for Four Diamonds, surpassing last year's record by more than $780,000. The 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping marathon began on Friday at 6 p.m., and more than 700 dancers participated to support pediatric cancer research. 'THON is for something bigger than yourself. I think everyone has this like internal feeling of wanting to do something more. And THON is just something more. It's a bunch of college kids banding together in pursuit of a cure, and that's all we can ask for. It's great,' Maddy Chlystek, a THON Dancer and Senior at Penn State said. Penn State Trustees approve $92M renovation plan In THON's final hours, there were performances, the line dance, and family hour where families and those affected by childhood cancer shared their stories. There was also a moment to remember those who lost their battle with cancer. For the Bigler family, THON will always hold a special place in their heart. 'This is our seventeenth THON. Eleventh without her. It just feels like she's here with us. That's why we just keep coming back. To honor her every year,' Marsha Bigler said. Her daughter Dominique, passed away in 2014 after a battle with cancer. Since 1977 THON has raised more than $236 million for Four Diamonds. The plan is to do it again next year and raise more money For The Kids. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Penn State's Thon weekend 2025 has arrived. Here's a look inside the Bryce Jordan Center
The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon officially started at 6 p.m. Friday, with more than 700 dancers now on their feet inside the Bryce Jordan Center to raise money for the fight against pediatric cancer. Thon ends on Sunday afternoon, but in the 46 hours of the event there will be musical performances, a pep rally, the student-created line dance each hour and much more — all 'FTK' (For the Kids). Friday's event started in an unusual way, when fire alarms sounded multiple times a little more than an hour into Thon. The music briefly stopped playing, but the building was not evacuated and a Thon representative told the crowd that there was no emergency. Later on Friday, rock band The Fray took the BJC stage as the surprise national act. Penn State's Thon is annually recognized as the largest student-run philanthropy event in the world. Each year, it raises millions of dollars to fight pediatric cancer by supporting the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Health Children's Hospital in Hershey. Those funds — nearly $17 million was raised last year alone — benefit cancer research efforts and help cover medical bills for families whose children have pediatric cancer. To watch Thon live through the weekend, visit Below is a look at scenes from inside the BJC in the first hours of Thon on Friday evening. Thon donations are accepted year-round before officials reveal the annual fundraising total shortly after dancers finally sit Sunday afternoon. Supporters can donate online at
