THON 2025 Breaks Records: $17.7 Million Raised to Fight Childhood Cancer

The THON 2025 has set a new fundraising record, bringing in $17,737,040.93 for Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.

This total surpasses THON 2024’s record-breaking amount of $16,955,683.63 by more than $780,000, marking another historic achievement in the fight against childhood cancer.

For 46 hours, from 6 p.m. on February 21 to 4 p.m. on February 23, more than 700 students danced and stood without sleep at the Bryce Jordan Center (BJC), showing their unwavering dedication to the cause.

The Legacy of THON: From Small Fundraiser to Record-Breaking Philanthropy

Back in 1973, a group of Penn State students had a simple idea: host a dance marathon to raise money for charity.  The first Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon was organized by Penn State’s Interfraternity Council (IFC) as a way to raise money for a local charity. The inaugural event was held in a small room at the Hub Ballroom on Penn State’s University Park campus and lasted 30 hours.

That first THON raised $2,000, which was donated to a local Pennsylvania charity. In 1977, THON partnered with the Four Diamonds Fund, which supports pediatric cancer patients and their families at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. Since then, THON has grown into the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, raising over $200 million to date.

Meanwhile, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a young boy named Christopher Millard was battling cancer. Before he passed away at just 14 years old, Christopher wrote a story named “The Four Diamonds” about a knight who had to collect four diamonds – courage, wisdom, honesty, and strength – to defeat an evil sorceress.

Inspired by her son’s words, who lost his battle with cancer, Christopher’s mother and father, Charles and Irma Millard, established The Four Diamonds Fund in 1972 to help families facing pediatric cancer at Penn State Children’s Hospital.

The organization provides comprehensive financial support to families, ensuring that no child’s treatment is ever hindered by cost. Additionally, Four Diamonds funds pediatric cancer research, aiming to improve survival rates and treatment options.

THON serves as the largest single donor to Four Diamonds, having contributed more than $200 million since their partnership began. This funding has led to groundbreaking discoveries in pediatric cancer research and has significantly reduced the financial burden on affected families.

At first, THON and The Four Diamonds Fund had nothing to do with each other. But in 1977, as THON moved away from its competitive format, organizers chose to donate the event’s proceeds to this little-known fund in Hershey. In 1978, the partnership became permanent.

THON’s Rise to the Largest Student-Run Philanthropy in the World

By the 1990s, THON had become a Penn State institution. The event outgrew White Building and moved to Rec Hall, where thousands of students gathered each year to support the cause. More organizations got involved, and fundraising methods evolved – from simple canning trips (where students collected donations in public places) to letter-writing campaigns and corporate sponsorships.

Then, in 2007, THON made its biggest move yet – to the Bryce Jordan Center, the largest indoor arena in central Pennsylvania. When THON moved from Rec Hall to the Bryce Jordan Center, the THON length was reduced to 46 hours, which remains the standard duration today. The new space allowed even more students, families, and Four Diamonds children to experience the energy and magic of THON Weekend.

THON Traditions

THON has built a rich history of traditions that keep the event fun, engaging, and emotionally powerful. Every tradition helps remind participants that they’re standing For The Kids (FTK)!

“Pep Rally” – A fan-favorite event where Penn State sports teams compete in a dance-off, with the crowd deciding the winner. Gymnastics often impresses with flips, but football usually gets the loudest cheers.

“Line Dance” – Performed every hour, the Line Dance keeps dancers energized with a mix of stretching, dancing, and lyrics reflecting pop culture, Penn State events, and world news. By the end of THON, most dancers have memorized every move, though exhaustion makes for funny slip-ups.

“Family Hour” – One of the most emotional moments of THON, featuring Four Diamonds families sharing their stories and a Celebration of Life video honoring children who have passed away. The entire Bryce Jordan Center falls silent in reflection.

“Color Wars” – Dancers and volunteers are split into color-coded teams and compete in challenges like relay races, lip sync battles, and dance-offs to boost morale.

“Dancer Mail and Kid’s Mail” – A heartwarming tradition where dancers receive letters from family and friends, while Four Diamonds kids get fun drawings and notes from Penn State students.

“Slide of Strength” – Dancers line up and use foam rollers to massage each other’s backs in a long conga-line formation, giving their sore muscles a brief moment of relief.

“Final Four Hours and Fundraising Reveal” – The emotional conclusion of THON, featuring speeches, performances, and a countdown to the fundraising total reveal, where the number is slowly lifted, digit by digit, before the entire BJC erupts in celebration.

“Dancer Handprints” – Four Diamonds kids decorate dancers’ shirts with colorful handprints, symbolizing the direct impact of their efforts and creating a lasting keepsake.

“No Hair, Don’t Care” – Some participants shave their heads in solidarity with kids battling cancer, raising both awareness and funds in the process.

“Birthday Bash” – A fun celebration where all Four Diamonds kids are honored with a birthday party, complete with cake, decorations, and special gifts.

“Mascot Appearances” – The Penn State Nittany Lion and other mascots roam the floor, entertaining dancers and kids with high-fives, hugs, and dance battles.

“The Floor Pass Lottery” – Students enter a raffle for the chance to go down onto the BJC floor, giving them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience THON from a dancer’s perspective.

“Teddy Bear Toss” – Spectators throw teddy bears onto the floor for Four Diamonds kids, filling the space with cuddly toys and creating a heartwarming moment of joy.

“Survivor Celebration” – A special moment honoring Four Diamonds kids who have beaten cancer, giving hope and inspiration to everyone in the arena.

THON Today: 46 Hours, No Sitting, No Sleeping, All For The Kids

Each year, thousands of Penn State students commit themselves to raising money for Four Diamonds families, ensuring that no child treated at Penn State Children’s Hospital has to fight cancer alone.

The event itself has evolved into a 46-hour, no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon packed with performances, games, and emotional moments that remind everyone why they are there. Families share their stories, dancers push past exhaustion, and the Bryce Jordan Center erupts in cheers when the final fundraising total is revealed.

“For The Kids” – THON’s signature phrase, FTK (For The Kids), is a rallying cry for participants, volunteers, and donors, reinforcing the event’s mission to support children battling cancer.

This year’s 53rd anniversary of THON embraced the theme “A Home For Hope,” symbolizing the love, joy, and support shared among students, families, and everyone involved in the mission to end childhood cancer.

As the world’s largest student-run philanthropy, THON continues to make a life-changing impact, raising millions each year to support pediatric cancer research and assist families battling childhood cancer. Since its partnership with Four Diamonds began in 1977, THON has now raised more than $236 million to fund groundbreaking research and provide vital resources for children and their families.

Reactions and Testimonials

THON’s impact extends far beyond the numbers. Students, families, and alumni have expressed their overwhelming gratitude and pride for the initiative.

“The dedication of our volunteers, donors, and supporters is truly inspiring. Every dollar raised brings us one step closer to a world without pediatric cancer.” – THON 2024 Executive Director, Kate Johnson

 “Without THON and Four Diamonds, we would not have been able to afford our child’s treatment. They have given us hope and support in our darkest times.” – A Four Diamonds Parent

“THON gave us hope when we felt lost. Seeing so many students dedicating themselves to fighting childhood cancer brought us to tears.” – Parent of a THON child

“We were overwhelmed by the love and support at THON. It wasn’t just a fundraiser; it was a family lifting us up.” – THON Parent

“During treatment, I felt isolated. THON reminded me I wasn’t alone—thousands of people were fighting for me.” – Four Diamonds Child

“The energy, the dancing, the love – it’s indescribable. THON is proof that together, we can make a difference.” – Student Volunteer

“Because of THON, we could focus on healing without the financial stress. They gave us more than help – they gave us hope.” – Four Diamonds Family

Penn State College of Medicine shared a post on LinkedIn:

“A record-breaking THON 2025!

Penn State THON has raised an incredible $17.7 million for Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, surpassing last year’s total by more than $780,000.

For 46 hours, more than 700 students danced at the Bryce Jordan Center, standing in unwavering support of children and families facing childhood cancer. Their dedication fuels Four Diamonds’ mission to conquer childhood cancer by funding groundbreaking research at Penn State College of Medicine and providing financial and emotional support for patients at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.

This extraordinary effort reflects the power of community, determination and hope. Every dollar raised moves us closer to better treatments, brighter futures and, ultimately, a cure. Thank you, THON, for making a difference – For The Kids.

Read more about this historic achievement.”