What is THON?
THON is a student-run philanthropy committed to enhancing the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer. Our mission is to provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness, and ensure funding for critical research—all in pursuit of a cure. Founded in 1973, THON’s sole beneficiary since 1977 is the Four Diamonds at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital in Hershey, PA. THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world with more than 15,000 student volunteers across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is a year-long fundraising effort that culminates in a 46-hour no sleeping or sitting dance marathon in the Bryce Jordan Center in February of each year. THON has raised over $127 million for the Four Diamonds since 1977.
How
We’re Involved
Oriana Singers and Glee Club Benefiting THON (OGC) is comprised of student volunteers from two of the Penn State School of Music’s choral ensembles: the all-male Glee Club and the all-female Oriana Singers. Together, we raise funds and awareness throughout the year in support of Four Diamonds’ mission to fight pediatric cancer. As a general organization benefiting THON, we are also paired through THON’s Adopt-A-Family Program with two Four Diamonds families who have been directly affected by childhood cancer—the Justin Burns Family and the Ally Kinsey Family. We celebrate with them in good times, support them in bad times, visit them, and invite them up for events of campus. They are why we THON: to support the children and families who are fighting pediatric cancer today, and to aid the search for treatments and cures so that one day no children will have to suffer.