Resolution Honoring THON Introduced in U.S. Senate

Pennsylvania’s two U.S. senators, Republican Pat Toomey and Democrat Bob Casey, partnered Tuesday to introduce a resolution congratulating the Penn State Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, or THON.

Specifically, the resolution honors THON for ‘its most successful’ year yet, according to a news release from the senators’ offices. THON 2011 raised a record amount — more than $9.5 million — for pediatric-cancer research and treatment.

‘I commend the organizers, volunteers, supporting organizations and dancers who have raised the bar for philanthropy and brought needed attention to the fight to find a cure for cancer,’ Casey said in the news release.

Toomey said that ‘the students of Penn State should be extremely proud of their efforts and success. Their compassion and charity, not to mention their dancing skills, are truly inspiring.’

The senators’ resolution mentions THON’s influence in encouraging similar philanthropic events. It was not immediately clear when the resolution may face a formal vote. The full text is posted here:

Congratulating the Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (‘THON”) on its continued success in support of the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.

Whereas the Pennsylvania State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (referred to in this preamble as ‘THON’) is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, with 700 dancers, more than 300 supporting organizations, and more than 15,000 volunteers involved in the annual event;

Whereas student volunteers at the Pennsylvania State University annually collect money and dance for 46 hours straight at the Bryce Jordan Center for THON, bringing energy and excitement to campus for a mission to conquer cancer and awareness about the disease to thousands of individuals;

Whereas all THON activities support the mission of the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, which provides financial and emotional support to pediatric cancer patients and their families and funds cancer research;

Whereas each year, THON is the single largest donor to the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, having raised more than $69,000,000 since 1977, when the 2 organizations first became affiliated;

Whereas in 2011, THON set a new fundraising record of $9,563,016.09, besting the previous record of $7,838,054.36, which was set in 2010;

Whereas THON has helped more than 2,000 families through the Four Diamonds Fund, is currently helping to build a new Pediatric Cancer Pavilion at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, and has helped support pediatric cancer research that has caused some pediatric cancer survival rates to increase to nearly 90 percent; and

Whereas THON has inspired similar events and organizations across the United States, including at high schools and institutions of higher education, and continues to encourage students across the United States to volunteer and stay involved in great charitable causes in their community: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) congratulates the Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (‘THON’) on its continued success in support of the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital; and

(2) commends the Pennsylvania State University students, volunteers, and supporting organizations for their hard work putting together another record-breaking THON.

Related coverage

• The StateCollege.com THON page