Penn State’s 2021 Thon to be held virtually due to COVID-19 pandemic
Hundreds of Penn State students will not have the opportunity to gather in-person and cap off a yearlong fundraising effort for pediatric cancer patients in 2021.
Thon’s executive committee on Friday canceled the annual 46-hour, no-sitting and no-sleeping dance marathon. Thon, credited with being the world’s largest student-run philanthropy, is planning a virtual celebration.
Students will not be able to congregate in the Bryce Jordan Center because of COVID-19 mitigation efforts and health and safety concerns, the committee said.
“At the core of Thon lies the ability to bring people together and impact lives around the world,” the committee said in a statement. “While we may not be able to gather in February, the shared spirit of our organization remains unchanged.”
Many details of the virtual celebration are still being worked out, but the organization said it still plans to have dancers, student volunteers, Four Diamonds families, guest speakers and performers.
Fundraising efforts, including the gift card initiative, Thon raffle and Dream Forward, are scheduled to continue. The Thon 5K, 100 Days ‘til Thon and Family Carnival are expected to move forward “to the fullest extent possible.”
Thon has raised more than $168 million for pediatric cancer patients and their families at the Penn State Milton Hershey Medical Center since Four Diamonds became the organization’s sole beneficiary in 1977.