UNIVERSITY PARK — The dates for the 2025 THON Weekend have officially been released. The THON 2025 executive committee announced on Monday, July 1, that the annual Penn State event will take place from Friday, Feb. 21, through Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, at the Bryce Jordan Center.
THON kicked off the 2025 fiscal year on Monday, July 1, beginning the yearlong fundraising effort with the campaign theme “Ignite the Fight.” Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, a national leader in childhood cancer care, treatment and innovative research, is the sole beneficiary of THON.
THON will have fundraising promotions and initiatives throughout July to support the kick-off of the 2025 fundraising campaign.
The year-round fundraising efforts conclude with THON Weekend, when students and the THON community come together for a 46-hour no-sitting and no-sleeping dance marathon.
THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, with more than 16,500 Penn State volunteers alone.
The annual dance marathon’s 52nd year at Penn State broke records in 2024 by raising $16.9 million for the event. This was the third year straight the record was broken. THON has raised more than $236 million since its inception in 1973.
Each year, the students create a new line dance based on current events and pop culture to teach to all the attendees and repeat every hour. There are also various performances and opportunities for Four Diamond families to interact with students throughout the event, among other activities.
THON’s 2024 weekend took place from Friday, Feb. 16, to Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, with the theme “Treasure Every Adventure.” On the first day of THON’s 2024 weekend, 708 dancers took to the floor prepared to stay on their feet for the next 46 hours.
Throughout the year, there’s typically a 5K, a 100 Days ’Til THON celebration and a family carnival. Student organizations are paired with families and form close bonds over years of spending time together on visits, at tailgates, at Little League games and much more.
Monetary funds raised by THON help cover the costs that Four Diamonds families face while undergoing pediatric cancer treatment at Penn State Health’s Children’s Hospital. The funds often go toward medical bills that insurance doesn’t cover while also supporting research at the children’s hospital and the Penn State College of Medicine.
According to Four Diamonds, the support and funds from THON can cover up to 100% of an eligible patient’s out of pocket expenses. Out of every dollar donated, Four Diamonds uses 85 cents to impact the lives of childhood cancer patients, ensuring that kids receive the support and care they need during and after their battle. To learn more about THON and its impact, visit thon.org or Penn State THON’s social media pages.
