Campus Life

THON cancels Nov. 13-15 canning weekend, plans safety protocol improvements

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Nov. 13-15 THON canning weekend has been canceled, the student organization announced Tuesday (Nov. 3). In lieu of the fundraising event, THON will continue to undergo an evaluation of canning and additional safety precautions for student volunteers.

In a “Letter to the THON Community,” THON 2016 executive director Katie Mailey said that further assessment of all aspects of canning needs to be completed and more time is needed to implement protocol changes.

The announcement comes after a Penn State student died in a car accident on Sept. 27 while returning from a trip to solicit donations for THON and the Oct. 23-25 canning weekend was suspended for an initial safety protocol review.

“Canning itself is a multifaceted fundraising practice that has long been part of THON’s culture and tradition,” Mailey said. “Not only does it raise awareness of THON’s mission, but it also provides a direct way for student volunteers to engage in fundraising for the fight against childhood cancer. Our goal in this decision is not to remove canning from THON’s fundraising model forever. We are striving to improve the safety and culture of fundraising with the help of University and state authorities.”

The decision to cancel the canning weekend is effective for all campuses, whether or not students require travel for canister solicitation. It will not be rescheduled.

“The decision reached by THON's leadership is the result of thoughtful consideration and discussion over a period of weeks,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Damon Sims, who along with Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Rod Kirsch is the primary liaison to THON. “It takes true leadership to resist impulsive decisions that are urged by others, and it requires courage to take a position you know will be unpopular with many. I could not be more pleased by the courage and leadership displayed by these students, and I know the University will do all it can to support THON as it continues to wrestle with the many issues that canning brings.”

The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, referred to as THON, is a yearlong effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. Several weekends a year are designated as “canning” weekends, where students solicit donations in communities across the region. Since 1977, THON has raised more than $127 million for families of pediatric cancer patients and research toward finding a cure.

Over the past few years, THON has implemented a number of policies and practices aimed at improving the safety for volunteers while fundraising. Students are trained through a mandatory course on the THON e-Learning Management System, an online module-based education tool, in areas such as safe fundraising practices, donor interaction and travel safety.

For more information on THON, including how to donate online, go to THON.org.

Last Updated November 3, 2015