THON Weekend went virtual for the first time in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but a change in format didn’t stop Penn State’s student-run philanthropy from raising millions of dollars to support pediatric cancer patients and their families.
The culmination of year-round fundraising efforts, this year’s 46-hour dance marathon concluded at 4 p.m. Sunday with the reveal that THON 2021 raised $10,638,078.62 for the Four Diamonds at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.
Since 1977, THON, the world’s largest student-run philanthropy, has raised more than $196 million for the Four Diamonds to provide financial support for pediatric cancer patients and their families as well as facilities and research. Because of Four Diamonds and THON, no pediatric cancer patient family at Penn State Hershey receives a medical bill.