University Park, Pa. -- After logging 48 hours of activity, Sunday night (Feb. 19) thousands of sore feet and tired eyes were refreshed by a new high, as Penn State students, volunteers and supporters celebrated a record-setting $4,214,748.18 at the 34th Annual Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.
THON 2006, themed "Together We'll Prevail," topped 2005's fund-raising total by nearly $100,000. Proceeds benefit The Four Diamonds Fund, based at Penn State Children's Hospital at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, which supports children and families fighting pediatric cancer, as well as pediatric cancer research.
Penn State Hazleton was the University's commonwealth campus with the highest fund-raising total, at $33,778.74. Among Greek organizations, perennial leaders Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority once again posted top earnings, this year with $300,277.
This year marked THON's last inside Rec Hall, which had housed the event since 1999. In 2007 THON moves across campus to the much larger Bryce Jordan Center, which will offer better amenities for student dancers and for Four Diamonds families visiting the event. In addition, the new venue will be better able to accommodate the thousands of visitors and supporters who come to witness the popular dance marathon, particularly those who may have been turned away previously during THON's final emotional hours.
The largest student-run philanthropy in the world THON has raised more than $34 million since its inception in 1973.
For photos of THON 2006, go to http://live.psu.edu/still_life/2006_02_20_thon/index.html online.
For more information about THON and The Four Diamonds Fund, visit http://www.thon.org and http://www.fourdiamonds.org respectively. To donate to THON, please go to https://secure.ddar.psu.edu/Thon online.