CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — The cheers of excitement have quieted. The confetti has been swept up, and the results are in for 2026 THON, Penn State’s annual 46-hour dance marathon held at the Bryce Jordan Center benefiting Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. THON is the largest student-run philanthropic organization in the world.
A total of $18,841,726.53 was raised from this year’s event — Penn State Lehigh Valley (PSU-LV) raised $46,773.19 and ranked third amongst the Commonwealth Campuses. Students completed several on- and off-campus fundraisers and used their donor drives to help grow their totals. Supportive alumni made significant contributions, specifically through an annual book drive organized by Penn State alumnus and PSU-LV advisory board member Howard Kulp, and the successful “Hops for Hope” campaign sponsored by Lost Tavern Brewing Company. Owner and Penn State alumnus Kenny Rampolla holds this annual fundraiser at Lost Tavern to show ongoing support for finding a cure for pediatric cancers.
Four PSU-LV students — Ben Brodhead, Kaleb Ogden, Sage Lin and Alayna Limani — spent 46 hours on their feet for the cause of fighting childhood cancer. All four students held leadership roles in the campus THON chapter, and all four had different reasons for wanting to get involved.
Brodhead’s mother and grandmother are both cancer survivors. His mother is a teacher, and at the same time she was undergoing treatment, a student in her class received their own cancer diagnosis. This created a strong bond between the two families, Brodhead said.
“Seeing this completely different side of life — it stuck with me ever since,” Brodhead said. THON was a big reason why he chose to attend Penn State, he added, and he wasted no time getting involved, serving as the overall THON chair for the PSU-LV campus as well as a dancer.
“I didn’t get involved in THON right away — I wanted to see what else the campus had to offer," he said. "I was named chair in May of last year, and I want every student that walks through the door of the building to be familiar with THON and our mission. It’s such a beautiful cause, and it’s amazing to see what college students can do. It’s really special to me. We’re not just here to get a college degree, but to change the world.”
Limani, a first-year finance major, served as alumni and donor relations director for PSU-LV’s THON chapter as well as a dancer. Limani’s sister was a THON dancer nearly eight years ago, and Limani said she has vivid memories of driving out to the BJC to cheer her sister on.
“I saw the impact, and I thought, ‘I want to do that if I ever go to Penn State,’” she said. “I really did believe in the cause, but when I saw the impact, I wanted to be part of something.”
Limani said she focused on preparing herself mentally for what’s a 46-hour endurance test in many ways.
“I work in food service, so I’m pretty used to standing for long periods," she said. "It was the no sleep that was tough. It did exceed my expectations, though. You’re surrounded by all these people, and it’s a feeling you can’t really prepare for. You’re reminded that it’s such a privilege to be able to dance.”
Limani encouraged other students to get involved with THON, even if it’s not as a dancer.
“It’s a great way to meet people who share common goals. It’s not a club where you all have to be the same major, and you can make such an impact on children fighting cancer and their families,” she said.
Kaleb Ogden, a second-year marketing major, served as marketing director for the PSU-LV THON chapter. He said he knew he wanted to be part of it after attending the 2025 event as a spectator.
“Witnessing the event truly made me realize the actual scale and positive impact of THON, and I knew right away that I wanted to be more directly involved, and I wanted to take on the challenge of dancing,” he said. The experience exceeded his expectations in many ways.
“Standing and staying awake for 46 hours pushed me beyond what I thought were my limits,” he said. “Additionally, being surrounded by so many dedicated and hardworking individuals was truly inspiring, and the feeling that I was able to contribute to something on such a large scale was truly amazing.”
Lin, a first-year psychology major, was off-campus events director for the campus’ THON chapter. She said she was excited to dance to show the Four Diamonds families how much support they have and put a smile on everyone’s face.
“I’m dedicated and committed, especially because it’s for a good cause,” she said.
THON advisors Pam Fleck, assistant director of student affairs, and Joe Schwartz, admissions counselor, along with D’Andre Miller, director of student affairs, accompanied the dancers and PSU-LV student cheering section to University Park. Fleck has attended several THONs and said the experience is unlike anything else.
“No matter how many years I’ve been a part of it and go to it, you’re reenergized by the enthusiasm and school spirit," Fleck said. "You see the Four Diamonds children and their families, and our kids and how they interact with them. You see the tradition and how much they all value it — that’s what it’s all about. It’s a fantastic Penn State tradition. It’s an experience and event that doesn’t happen to the level it does at Penn State anywhere else. The energy, the enthusiasm, and the dedication of the students — it touches your Penn State heart like nothing else.”