For the first time in THON history, Penn State Altoona was the top commonwealth campus for funds raised, bringing in a total of $89,728.94. THON, which was held Feb. 18-20 at the University Park campus, is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. This year, the overall effort raised more than $9.5 million to fight pediatric cancer, a single-year record.
Twenty-seven students began raising money in October with activities such as canning, dodgeball and powderpuff games, and letter-writing. Six of those students joined hundreds of others in the 46-hour dance marathon.
Money raised by THON benefits the Four Diamonds Fund and its pediatric cancer patients, families and researchers at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.
Dana Chestney, Penn State Altoona’s THON adviser, said “These students are devoted to helping the children and their families who benefit from the Four Diamonds Fund. Their dedication is just unbelievable.”