Penn State Thon is returning to an in-person event next year. Here’s why and what’s changing
The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon — affectionately known as “Thon” — will return to an in-person event next year after the pandemic forced it to move its most recent dance marathon online, its executive committee announced Thursday afternoon.
Thon, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, held its 2021 dance marathon virtually in response to fears over COVID-19. But it still managed to raise more than $10 million in February to fight pediatric cancer, donating the funds to Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.
It will return again to the Bryce Jordan Center, in time for its 50th anniversary, from Feb. 18-20, 2022.
“We are thrilled to be able to join together in our fight against childhood cancer,” read a statement from Thon’s executive committee. “Our families are our inspiration to continue in our fight. It is a privilege to support them, safely, together, as a community.”
The executive committee will require COVID vaccinations from students and staff working on the event’s floor and mezzanine levels, where Four Diamonds families and children no longer on active treatment will also be found. Those on active treatment with weakened immune systems will not be allowed to attend — case-by-case exceptions could be made, with written consent from treatment providers — although the Thon executive committee has said that “robust” virtual options will be available during the 46-hour dance marathon.
Visitors and students who wish to visit the Bryce Jordan Center and not access the floor, or event level, are not required to be vaccinated. Per university policy, however, everyone — regardless of vaccination status — will be required to wear a mask indoors at all times.
“While we are so excited to welcome all of our passionate supporters back to Thon Weekend, the safety of all in attendance is of the utmost priority,” the executive committee said. “Everyone in attendance deserves to feel safe and comfortable. Thon is continuing to evaluate all practices and processes of Thon Weekend to ensure the safety of all of our supporters.”
Comprehensive safety plans for the event will be announced in January. Thon’s current plans were made in conjunction with Dr. Lisa McGregor, Chief of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, and Kelly Wolgast, director of Penn State’s COVID-19 Operations Control Center.
Thon captains and committee members who are not vaccinated can still take part in Thon Weekend, but will not be permitted to access the floor or mezzanine levels. The three-day event will also be livestreamed for those who are unable or uncomfortable attending in person.
Thon first started in 1973 and raised a little more than $2,000. Thon’s growth has since exploded, now involving more than 16,000 student volunteers every year and raising at least $10 million in nine of the last 10 years.
For more information, or to donate, go to thon.org.
