UNIVERSITY PARK – The 46-hour Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) once again has set record, raising $12,374,034.46 for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, surpassing last year’s record total, $10,686,924.83 million.
Funds raised by THON go to support the Four Diamonds Fund and its pediatric cancer patients, families and researchers at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital who are working to find better treatments and, ultimately, cures for forms of cancer that afflict children. First held in 1973, THON has partnered with Four Diamonds Fund since 1977 and in that time has raised more than $100 million FTK — “For The Kids.”
More than 15,000 students participated in making THON 2013 happen – from more than 700 dancers who spent the entire weekend on their feet, to the thousands of students who helped them raise funds throughout the year, and thousands more who are volunteering during THON weekend to boost dancers’ morale, keep them fed and entertained, make sure they stay safe and share the THON experience around the world via streaming video.