Thompson Lauds Penn State Students for THON Fundraising Milestone

Bellefonte, Pa. – U.S. Representative and Penn State Alumnus, Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, today congratulated the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, affectionately known as THON, for raising a record-breaking annual total of $12.37 million in support of the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital and surpassing $100 million in total funds raised, a goal since its inception in 1977.

"I commend Penn State University students for their hard work in putting together another record-breaking THON and all of the volunteers and supporting organizations over the years who have helped make the Four Diamonds Fund such a fundamental success," stated Rep. Thompson. “Surpassing the $100 million mark in total funds raised is a truly impressive milestone, but no less impressive than the generations of contributions made by THON through issue awareness and emotional support for the millions of Americans coping with this life changing disease.”

Last year, THON raised $10.68 million, reaching a combined total of $89 million benefitting the Four Diamonds Fund.

"As a Penn State Alumnus, it is an honor to be associated with a first class institution that remains dedicated to achieving both scholastic and philanthropic success,” Rep. Thompson added.  “Congratulations to Penn State and each generation of THON students for your commitment to this important cause and helping families in the fight against pediatric cancer."

THON is a year-long fundraising and awareness campaign for the fight against pediatric cancer that culminates with a 46 hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon known as THON Weekend, which this year took place from February 15-17, 2013.  

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