UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 445 on March 25, designating April 8 as “THON Day” across the commonwealth.
With state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff serving as prime sponsor, the resolution recognizes the impact of the Penn State IFC-Panhellenic Dance Marathon — also known as THON — as the world’s largest student-run philanthropy and the organization’s ongoing efforts to conquer childhood cancer.
The community is invited to wear their THON or Mini-THON gear, or blue-and-white clothing, to show support for THON on April 8.
THON 2026, held Feb. 20-22 in the Bryce Jordan Center on Penn State’s University Park campus, shattered the organization’s own records by raising more than $18.8 million — the fifth consecutive year of record-breaking totals. Since partnering with Four Diamonds in 1977, THON has raised more than $272 million and supported more than 4,800 children and families impacted by childhood cancer. The resolution acknowledges the dedication of more than 16,500 volunteers who donate over 5 million hours of their own time annually to sustain this yearlong campaign.
All proceeds to THON directly benefit its sole beneficiary, Four Diamonds, a national nonprofit gift fund that covers 100% of medical expenses for children impacted by cancer at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital while also funding critical pediatric cancer research through Penn State College of Medicine.