This past month, during the weekend of Feb. 20-Feb. 22, Penn State’s THON concluded a record-breaking weekend. THON is a student-run organization at Pennsylvania State University devoted to financially assisting pediatric cancer research through an organization called Four Diamonds. The philanthropy raised a total of $18,841,726 this year, which is $1.1 million more than 2025’s THON.
With more than 16,500 students involved in the program and festivities, the world’s largest student-run philanthropy raised $254 million since 1977 and helped over 5,500 Four Diamond families, affiliated with the support from the Four Diamonds organization. Multiple groups raised money as a contribution to the organization, like the couple Andrew Perillo and Jorge Cuza, who raised $73,423, and a Greek organization that raised $551,071.
There were special guests to keep the audience engaged, including PSU Football Coach Matt Campbell, Fitz and the Tantrums as the national guest performers, and Penn State’s very own Cheerleading Team, leading a white-out pep rally.
“I was incorporated with THON as a volunteer, so I did security. I think THON is significant because it draws people from all over the state and the country. It’s the biggest student-run philanthropy in the nation. And even though it is important for the students there because it’s a big part of Penn State, it has a huge community around State High,” student teacher Alex Kauffman said. “Leading up to the weekend, I would say there is always a buzz on campus and around the community. I’ve even had a couple of students ask me what the highlight of my weekend was, and just seeing how interested some of the kids are is pretty cool.”
Locals came to the Bryce Jordan Center to support the 46 hours of no-sitting and no-sleeping dance marathon.
“I’ve done a lot of THON every single year, but this was the first time I actually successfully made it through all 46 hours. But going through the physical challenge and the mental challenge and having to push through really helps you begin to sympathize with what our Four Diamond families go through,” Psychology student teacher and THON dancer, Kate Matteson said. “You are beginning to experience a fraction of the pain that they’re going through, and you’re showing them, I’m making it through this, and I’m gonna help you make it through too.”
From all the money that was raised during the event, the proceeds go to Four Diamonds at the Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital to provide financial aid for pediatric cancer and research. Along with that, Four Diamonds is able to cover 100% of all cancer-related expenses that insurance cannot cover, according to Thon.org.
“In the fall, I got to tour the Four Diamonds Hospital, where we went to the lab and saw them actually doing cancer research. And we met the kids who are getting treatment, and the drugs that they need are paid with THON’s fundraising dollars. It was really nice to see the legitimate impact that it has right in front of my eyes,” Matteson said.
Additionally, THON hasn’t just touched the hearts of the Four Diamond families but also has reached all across the country, including influencing State High’s very own Mini Thon.
“I think that over the years, Mini-THON at State High has grown a lot. Seeing the amount of money that big THON raises is crazy, and even though we’re not on that level, we always say every dollar counts and everything matters, even the smallest bit that people can give is so important,” Ava Edwards, the co-president of Mini THON, said.
The club is modeled after THON at Penn State, where their mission is to fight childhood cancer and empower students to develop leadership and work-ready skills while contributing to a significant cause, according to MiniTHON.org.
“THON has been the highlight of my high school career. I’ve loved getting to connect with my community in so many different ways, and I feel like I have a grip on what my community needs specifically in terms of children with cancer,” Co-President Lauren Krentzman said. “People are already aware of the mission and aware of what they want to get done, and hopefully, are able to help in a more impactful way with helping at the high school level.”
State High’s Mini THON will take place Friday, April 10, through Saturday, April 11, in State High’s South Gym. According to Mini THON, the club currently has 65 participants and has raised $4,736 of their goal of $40,000.
“At such a pivotal time in your life when you’re in high school, it really does matter what you’re exposed to and what’s around you. Having such an amazing philanthropic event that is also run by people who are not much older than you is going to have an impact on how you see the world. It’s going to have an impact on how you treat each other, how you live your life, and when you see something so good happening just down the street. That is amazing,” Matteson said.
According to THON, every school day, 43 children are diagnosed with cancer, and there are 12 types of pediatric cancer. According to Mini THON, 16,000 children under the age of 19 are diagnosed with cancer each year, one child diagnosed every 33 minutes in the U.S. The main goal of both Mini THON and THON is to cure them all.
