State College Mini-THON Set for Friday

State College Area school students will gather at Park Forest Middle School on Friday for a night of dancing, entertainment and games at the annual State College Mini-THON.

Like the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Council Dance Marathon, the Mini-THON raises money for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Medical Center to support pediatric cancer patients and their families. Since its inception in 2009, the State College Mini-THON has raised more than $326,000.

Last year, hundreds of students from Mount Nittany and Park Forest middle schools and the Delta program raised more than $62,000. This year’s event is themed ‘Hope Soars,’ and begins at 5 p.m. with a pre-event dinner, special guest speakers and a musical performance. Then it’s on to the dance marathon which lasts until midnight.

Friday’s event will feature special guests such as the Penn State men’s and women’s basketball teams, magicians, clowns and of course lots of dancing, games and food, with the total fundraising reveal at midnight. Four Diamonds families also will speak during the evening.

The State College Mini-THON is a yearlong fundraising effort by State College area middle school students. Modeled after the Penn State Dance Marathon, Mini-THONs at schools in Pennsylvania and other states have raised more than $23 million since 1993 for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey. Nearly 300 schools in eight states hold Mini-THONs, according to THON.

The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital helps families affected by pediatric cancer offset costs from cancer treatment not covered by health insurance as well as food, housing and travel expenses. The fund also supports a medical team comprised of pediatric oncologists, a music therapist, nutritionist, nurses, a psychologist, researchers and hospital staff members such as child life specialists and social workers.