THON 2026 | Penn State Dance Marathon | For The Kids

THON 2026 | Penn State Dance Marathon | For The Kids
One day we will
dance in
celebration,
until then we will
dance for a cure.
Get involved
Together, we will
Conquer Childhood Cancer.
Your Gift Makes It Possible.
Donate now
One Day Cancer
Will Be Cured,
Until Then We Will
Make A Difference
GET INVOLVED
The Largest
Student-Run
Philanthropy in the World
THON is a student-run philanthropy committed to helping conquer childhood cancer. Our mission is to provide financial support to Four Diamonds which helps to pay for childhood cancer care and ensure funding for critical research, provide emotional support to Four Diamonds children and their families and spread awareness about childhood cancer—all in pursuit of a cure.
Get involved
46
Hour Dance Marathon
5,500+
Four Diamonds children and families Helped
16,500
Student Volunteers
$254,000,000
Raised
Read their stories
For The Kids®
Children battling childhood cancer remain at the core of our mission. THON aims to provide emotional & financial support for children and families supported by Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital by facilitating lifelong relationships between families & volunteers, fostering a sense of community, & providing year-round support. THON strives to ensure that our Four Diamonds children and families remain at the heart of every volunteer’s efforts and that everything is done For The Kids.
Meet our families
Hoch Family Story
Colby was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma in 1994 when he was 2 years 8 months old. It was a long 2 years of multiple…
Musser Family Story
I’ll start off by sharing a bit about us. My hubby (Kevin) and I have 3 daughters Olivia who will be 8 next week, Allyson will be 6 next month and Stella who is 3. When Allyson was diagnosed, she was only 3 1/2, Olivia was 5 1/2 and Stella was only 9 months old.
Speed Family Story
I’ve been writing this in my head for months now, apparently it’s part of how I cope, just another fun fact about myself I am…
Smith Family Story
When I was asked by the Family Relations Committee to tell our story, I did not really know what I could say. For me, though, no…
Silbaugh Family Story
Calliope was born on Easter Sunday in 2012. She was a very pleasant baby and in seemingly good health. All of her baby check-ups…
Howe Family Story
My name is Megan Howe and I became a Four Diamonds Child in 1999. July of 1999 I was about to turn two years old. Up to that point, I was a perfectly healthy child. I was walking all around and even pointing to the outfits I would wear that day. I learned to dress myself and was a loved member of the daycare on…
Bigler Family Story
Hi, we are the Dominique Bigler family. I’m Marsha, this is Gary, and we have two beautiful daughters, Dominique and Natasha.…
Eichelberger Family Story
Jaxon is now a happy and healthy six-year-old! He loves playing sports like baseball and soccer. He enjoys spending time with his friends and cousins and loves video games. He is getting ready to start first grade this fall!
Frey Family Story
Noah is now four years old and is in the maintenance phase of his treatment. Life now feels a little more normal (well our normal…
Laboy Family Story
“I’m so grateful for Four Diamonds, because without them, I feel like Kaylahni wouldn’t have been given a chance,” Kiara…
Lucas Family Story
“One of the big things that I like to focus on is not just the journey of the individual patient, but the journey of siblings,…
Newswanger Family Story
“When you go to THON, you just see all of the amazing things and the time that was put into pulling off the weekend, and it’s incredible,” Amy said. “THON touches lives every day, and for those of us who have unfortunately needed it, we are forever grateful for the help.”
Pulaski Family Story
“At my age, you don’t really understand what’s happening, and I think that helped me get over it a lot easier,” Devin…
Reese Abrams Family Story
Kionne Reese Abrams lives in State College, PA with his parents, Alyssa and Dylan. He is thriving as a middle schooler, competitive gymnast, dog whisperer to Fred and Scottie, crop cultivator in our home garden, and gem collector/LED light extraordinaire! Because our journey is so different from most…
Wetzel Family Story
Jonus was diagnosed on January 9, 2022, with High-Risk B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with PH-like chromosomes. It was a…
Woods Family Story
Keira Woods is 18 years old and says she’s “definitely a Pisces.” She was born in Maryland on March 6, 2006, but spent most…
Lynch Family Story
Throughout Olivia’s journey with cancer, we grew as a family in a way that we didn’t know at the time, but now know looking…
Guzman Family Story
Carmen Guzman is a graduate student at Penn State studying Nutrition and Dietetics, on the path to becoming a Registered Dietician. She hopes to work with children going through cancer treatment. Carmen understands what it is like to go through cancer treatment, because 15 years before, Carmen was in their…
Hoch Family Story
Musser Family Story
Speed Family Story
Smith Family Story
Silbaugh Family Story
Howe Family Story
Bigler Family Story
Eichelberger Family Story
Frey Family Story
Laboy Family Story
Lucas Family Story
Newswanger Family Story
Pulaski Family Story
Reese Abrams Family Story
Wetzel Family Story
Woods Family Story
Lynch Family Story
Guzman Family Story
Get involved
Ready to Make a Difference?
THON™ is able to donate 96 cents of every dollar raised to Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital because of supporters like you. Your generosity creates moments of joy for Four Diamonds children and families and empowers our volunteers through year‑round events, fundraisers and THON Weekend.
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Support
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Making a difference
Our Partners
At its core, THON is an organization that makes a difference in the lives of children and families battling childhood cancer. Each year, through meticulous care and dedication, we are able to make sure that 96 cents of every dollar directly impacts Four Diamonds children and families battling childhood cancer.
Since 1977, THON has raised more than $254 million for Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital. We are thankful for our incredible partners, who continue to support us in our pursuit of a cure.
Meet our families
Our Proud
Corporate Partners
Our alumni
Support Our Mission
Join our alumni groups in contributing to the efforts of THON with the common goal of one day dancing in celebration of a cure. The Alumni Challenge challenges our Penn State Alumni Community to see which geographical region can raise the most money in support of THON. Gather with your friends, co-workers, local alumni chapter, etc. to organize an event & spread THON’s mission nationwide by bringing THON to your area.
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Meet Taylor and Leah the THON™ 2026 DJ Coordinat
Applications to be a THON™ 2027
Captain are offi
We are so excited to announce the Executive Commit
Meet Julia Wary the Dancer Wellness captain on the
See how our Hospitality Promotion captains Kara Fi
We are honored to announce the Executive Director
Meet Tech Captain, Caleb Mowery! As a tech captain
THON™ 2026 Recap – Thank you to every family, da
The total for THON 2026 Love Leads Forward is $18,
Thank you to the Devin Pulaski Family, the Keaghan
Penn State THON™
@thon
6 Jan 2025
Make an impact as an alumni and send inspirational messages to THON™ 2025 dancers and Four Diamond’s children! To learn more information for guidelines, and to send in mail, follow this link: https://thon.org/mail-call/.
With any questions, contact: alumni.campaigns@THON.org https://x.com/THON/status/1876407967353860566/photo/1
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Penn State THON™
@thon
5 Dec 2024
Experience the excitement of Pittsburgh Penguins hockey in-person at PPG Paints Arena! Each ticket purchased benefits THON™
Link: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/PenguinsPSUTHON010925 https://x.com/THON/status/1864715063757803638/photo/1
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Penn State THON™
@thon
5 Dec 2024
The third annual Alumni Game Show is today! Get ready to show off your knowledge and join us on THON social media on December 5th at 7PM! Email alumni.campaigns@thon.org with any questions. https://x.com/THON/status/1864686194858053666/photo/1
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Penn State THON™
@thon
2 Dec 2024
In just 3 days, the Alumni Game Show is back!
This virtual interactive event encourages all Alumni to answer trivia questions, listen to guest and family speakers, and even win Alumni Showdown points! https://x.com/THON/status/1863645604166959407/photo/1
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Penn State THON™
@thon
21 Nov 2024
The Alumni Connection Series is a set of livestreams dedicated to sharing the stories of families, Four Diamonds workers, Penn State alumni, and more!
Join us tonight, November 21 on Facebook Live! https://x.com/THON/status/1859647731180150987/photo/1
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Penn State THON™
@thon
19 Nov 2024
First Year Committee applications for THON™ 2025 are now LIVE and due by December 16! Follow the link in our bio to join us in the fight against childhood cancer. https://x.com/THON/status/1858963456646422944/photo/1
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Penn State THON™
@thon
19 Nov 2024
Watch the Philadelphia Flyers take on the LA Kings and Columbus Blue Jackets on December 19th and 21st! With each ticket purchase $5 will be donated to THON™! Link to Purchase: https://fevo-enterprise.com/group/Thonnation24 https://x.com/THON/status/1858942911670313229/photo/1
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Penn State THON™
@thon
19 Nov 2024
Join us at MetLife Stadium this fall and winter for multiple New York Jets games and make a difference for THON™. Every ticket pu…
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Penn State THON™
@thon
18 Nov 2024
Join us at the Prudential Center on November 30th at 7:00pm as the Devils take on the Capitals for Hockey Fights Cancer night. Every ticket purchased through the link benefits THON™ and you can credit any org of your choosing at checkout! Link:https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/PSUTHON24 https://x.com/THON/status/1858556964189380683/photo/1
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Penn State THON™
@thon
13 Nov 2024
Building A Home For Hope and dreaming of limitless futures as we approach THON™ Weekend in 100 days! Help us make a difference in the fight against childhood cancer. https://x.com/THON/status/1856817946934358445/photo/1
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Penn State THON
1 week ago
Meet Taylor and Leah the THON™ 2026 DJ Coordinator Captains on the Entertainment committee. 🎗️
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Penn State THON
2 weeks ago
Applications to be a THON™ 2027
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Penn State THON
3 weeks ago
We are so excited to announce the Executive Committee for THON 2027! Thank you for your dedication and commitment to supporting our families. We are so excited to see you lead the THON Community through another incredible year, For The Kids®!
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Penn State THON
3 weeks ago
Meet Julia Wary the Dancer Wellness captain on the Dancer Relations committee who is in charge of ensuring the wellbeing of all dancers during THON™ Weekend! 🎗️
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Penn State THON
4 weeks ago
See how our Hospitality Promotion captains Kara Fisher and Christina Solomon plan, promote, and host profit sharing fundraisers local to the THON™ Community throughout the year!
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Penn State THON
1 month ago
We are honored to announce the Executive Director for THON™ 2027, Lauren Mellas! We are excited to see how your vision will lead this organization forward with love as we continue to grow our efforts in pursuit of a cure for childhood cancer. Thank you for your dedication to the THON, our mission, and for all that you do, For The Kids®!
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Penn State THON
1 month ago
Meet Tech Captain, Caleb Mowery! As a tech captain, Caleb works with DASH, a software that manages people checking in and out of the building at our different events. 🎗️
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Penn State THON
2 months ago
THON™ 2026 Recap – Thank you to every family, dancer, volunteer, alumni and supporter for helping Love Lead Forward for the entirety of THON 2026!
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Penn State THON
2 months ago
THON™ 2026 Recap – Thank you to every family, dancer, volunteer, alumni and supporter for helping Love Lead Forward for the entirety of THON 2026!
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Penn State THON
2 months ago
The total for THON 2026 Love Leads Forward is $18,841,727.53
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