What is THON?

Important Facts

No family has ever been turned down by The Four Diamonds Fund.
No dancer ever stands alone; organizations raise money together, morale together, and support the families together.
THON™ is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, through it more than $46 million has been raised for kids with cancer.
The Four Diamonds Fund provides money for comprehensive care of children with cancer, support for their families, and for research of pediatric cancer.
The Four Diamonds Fund allots over 92% of the proceeds from the Dance Marathon and other fundraising efforts straight to patients and their families.
This year there will be more than 300 organizations, 700 dancers, and 3000 organizers participating in a two day, no-sitting, no-sleeping Dance Marathon.
More than 2,000 families have been helped by The Four Diamonds Fund.
THON has emerged as one of the greatest unifying factors among Penn State students, teaching that it is okay to reach a hand out and help another person.

Milestones

1973: The very first Penn State Dance Marathon is held in the HUB, raising more than $2000 for charity.
1977: THON makes its first donation to The Four Diamonds Fund. This partnership would become permanent the following year.
1979: THON moves to the White Building, where it continues to grow for years.
1983: The six-figure mark is passed with a fundraising total of $131,000.
1992: THON raises more than $1 million for the first time ever.
1999: THON moves again, this time to Rec Hall.
1999: THON pledges $5 million over 5 years to establish a research center at the Hershey Medical Center. This pledge would be fulfilled two years early.
2002: The first THON 5K takes place, an event which has now grown to include nearly 1700 runners.
2004: THON pledges $10 million over 6 years to create a new Pediatric Cancer Pavilion at the Penn State Children’s Hospital, promising to revolutionize family-centered care for the kids of The Four Diamonds Fund.
2005: THON breaks the $4 million dollar mark, raising $4,122,483.65 for The Four Diamonds Fund.
2007: Back at it again... THON celebrated its 35th anniversary in the Bryce Jordan Center - it's new home! THON 2007 broke the $5 million mark, raising $5,240,385.17 for the kids.