HERSHEY, Pa. — More than 700 Penn State students will put on their dancing shoes and head to the Bryce Jordan Center on Penn State’s University Park campus this weekend to help raise money for the fight against childhood cancer. The students will stay on their feet for 46 consecutive hours, from 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, until the final fundraising tally is revealed at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19.
Last year, students raised more than $13.7 million, shattering the previous record total from 2014. Penn State’s THON is now in its 51st year. All money raised benefits Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. THON’s first dance marathon in 1973 raised just over $2,000. Since then, THON has raised more than $203 million.
For those who cannot attend the event in person at the Jordan Center, there are multiple ways to tune in and stay connected to THON throughout the weekend.
46 LIVE THON livestream
46 LIVE, a student-run organization in Penn State’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, will once again produce the THON livestream, which will be hosted on the official THON website.
The students’ work gives the livestream a professional feel, especially with the creation and use of prerecorded videos featuring interviews with dancers and THON families. The livestream also showcases the Penn State community and people who are looking to spread appreciation for THON.
This year the livestream includes 18 on-air hosts and a round-the-clock production team with another 60 to 70 students. In addition, 46 LIVE plans to incorporate more behind-the-scenes THON footage than before.
Learn more about the work of 46 LIVE to produce the THON livestream here.
Special THON coverage to air on six TV stations at 7 p.m. Saturday
For the second consecutive year, 6ABC (WPVI-TV) in Philadelphia will showcase THON, the world’s largest student-run philanthropy. 6ABC will air a live, half-hour telecast from THON at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18.
“Dancing For a Cure — Live From THON” will be hosted by 6ABC’s Bob Brooks, Walter Perex and Brittany Boyer. The exclusive underwriter for the broadcast will be Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.
“I feel so fortunate to be working with 6ABC this year to showcase the magic of THON Weekend 2023,” said Lily Pevoto, THON executive director. “The impact that this organization has on so many children, families, students, alumni and supporters is immeasurable, and I can’t wait to be able to give a glimpse of it all through this year’s program.”
The program also will be syndicated to other television markets, including New York. With its syndication partners, roughly 16% of American homes will have access to the program.
The following stations will simulcast the program:
- WABC New York
- WTAE Pittsburgh
- WHTM Harrisburg
- WATM State College
- WJET Erie
CommRadio Final Four Show
The CommRadio news team will be reporting live during the final four hours of THON. Coverage will include information about the dancers, line dance, stage acts and speakers, kids fashion/talent show, kids' mail, athlete hour and pep rally, and the grand total reveal. Tune in to CommRadio here.
THON coverage on Penn State social media
Penn State’s official social media platforms will provide photo and video coverage of THON throughout the weekend. This includes coverage on the University’s brand new TikTok channel, as well as on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
A year-round effort
THON is a year-round effort to raise money in the fight against childhood cancer. Each spring, new student leadership is selected. During the summer, the student volunteers conduct outreach with smaller fundraising efforts and pay visits to Four Diamonds families affected by childhood cancer. In the fall, the planning for the dance marathon kicks into high gear. The students mobilize all the team captains, and THON Weekend begins to take shape.
THON is programmed and produced entirely by Penn State students who configure the Bryce Jordan Center, build the stage, manage the concessions and handle all the custodial duties. And, of course, the estimated 700 student dancers stay on their feet for 46 hours straight.
“We continue to be inspired by the relentless efforts of everyone involved with THON to conquer childhood cancer,” said Yatin Vyas, chair of the Department of Pediatrics and pediatrician-in-chief at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. “Their hard work and generosity helps to ensure that all medical expenses are covered for Four Diamonds Children who are treated for cancer at our Children’s Hospital while also making possible a diverse platform of childhood cancer research that seeks improved treatments and cures to benefit kids in Pennsylvania and around the world.”