(left to right) THON chair Lauren Richards and dancers Kelsie Nury, Erin Prager, Joe Mandak and Andrew Holodnik.
FOURTH BEST AMONG ALL
PENN STATE COMMONWEALTH CAMPUSES
Reception Planned for THON Committee, Dancers, Volunteers
The THON committee at Penn State New Kensington, headed by junior Lauren Richards, raised $50,437 for the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) that benefits the Four Diamonds Fund and the fight against pediatric cancer.
The total is the second best in campus history, topped only by the $52,392 that was collected last year. The four New Kensington campus student dancers -- Joe Mandak, Erin Prager, Andrew Holodnik, Kelsie Nury -- joined more than 700 dancers from across the University, and stayed on their feet for the entire 46-hour event.
“I have never seen so many people so passionate about a single cause,” said Richards, a junior information sciences and technology major. “Some things are bigger than you. I want to find a cure.”
Overall, THON set a new record, raising $10,686,924.83 for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, surpassing last year's record $9.56 million. Funds raised by THON go to support the Four Diamonds Fund and its pediatric cancer patients, families and researchers at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital who are working to find better treatments and, ultimately, cures for forms of cancer that afflict children.
First held in 1973, THON has partnered with the Four Diamonds Fund since 1977 and in that time has raised more than $88 million FTK -- "For The Kids." More than 15,000 students participated in making THON 2012 happen, including the thousands of students who raised funds throughout the year, and thousands more who volunteered during THON weekend to boost dancers' morale, keep them fed and entertained, make sure they stay safe and share the THON experience around the world via streaming video.
The campus total is the fourth best among all Penn State commonwealth campuses and second among the western campuses (Beaver, Fayette, DuBois, Greater Allegheny, Shenango and New Kensington).
Plans are under way for a reception next week to honor the THON volunteers and celebrate the total.
For more on campus THON, contact Lauren Blum, student life coordinator, 724-334-6063 or ldb14@psu.edu via email.