Penn State’s annual 46-hour Thon to fight pediatric cancer starts this week. What to know
Penn State’s IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, the annual 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon to raise money for the fight against childhood cancer, is set to take over the Bryce Jordan Center this weekend.
Thon Weekend, the culmination of the yearlong fundraising and awareness efforts of thousands of student volunteers, starts at 6 p.m. Friday and goes until 4 p.m. Sunday. More than 700 dancers will participate in front of tens of thousands of supporters in the stands. The weekend is jam-packed with live music, performances, games, challenges and more. There’s even a line dance that students create every year that is performed every hour throughout the Thon event.
In the past, Thon has had special performances by Joe Jonas and DNCE, Natasha Bedingfield and Walk the Moon.
The largest student-run philanthropy in the world, Thon has been around since 1973. Since it partnered with its sole beneficiary, Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey, it has raised more than $236 million. The money raised ensures that more than 4,800 families never see a medical bill or the financial burden of cancer, Thon’s website states. Donations also help fund cancer research.
Thon pairs student volunteers with Four Diamonds families and plans events throughout the year that give hope and support to families fighting childhood cancer.
How to attend Thon
General attendees can enter the Bryce Jordan Center through the general spectator line at “Will Call” via the BJC Ticketing Office. There, people will receive a wristband that can be used for the weekend. The wristbands must be worn the entire time people are inside the BJC and should be kept for the entire Thon weekend.
It’s likely that the BJC will reach maximum capacity throughout the weekend, which will cause a “building closure.” During those times, spectators won’t be allowed to enter the building. But the BJC will reopen once attendance within the building has reached a low enough number.
Wristbands will still be handed out if the building is closed — but receiving a wristband doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be able to enter the building. A Thon volunteer will take the person’s phone number and scan them into a digital line used to call spectators back when it reopens. They can receive updates via text if they give their number to a volunteer at the ticket office.
If someone just wants to check the status of the building, they can do that at thon.org/thon-weekend/.
There’s no way to predict when the building will close or reopen, but typically Friday night, Saturday afternoon/evening and late Sunday morning are high-traffic times.
Admission is free.
How to follow along online
Thon has a livestream, 46LIVE, a student-run org that is supported by the Bellisario College of Communications. Anyone can watch Thon happen live at https://thon.org/thon-events/livestream/.
Parking
Parking for Thon is available in the Stadium West, Jordan East Commuter and Porter North lots. There are no time limits in these lots, and it is free for the event. Additionally, the Borough of State College Parking Department said it will lift the “no parking 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.” and the one- and two-hour restrictions beginning at noon Friday. All restrictions will go back into place at 2 a.m. Monday.
Due to the heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic expected, the university urges motorists to use caution while traveling near the BJC and encourages Thon attendees to walk, bike and use transit instead of driving.
How to donate
The first year Thon was held, it was a 30-hour dance marathon and raised more than $2,000. It has since grown and last year broke its fundraising record with more than $16.9 million raised.
Thon donations are accepted year-round before officials reveal the annual fundraising total shortly after dancers finally sit Sunday afternoon. Supporters can donate online at donate.thon.org. Donations have to be a minimum of $5 and can be a one-time donation or a monthly donation.
Of every dollar raised, 96 cents goes to Four Diamonds.
According to Thon’s donations page, here’s what contributions can help cover for pediatric cancer patients and their families:
$150 covers prescription drug co-pays for one day
$300 funds pastoral care for one day
$500 funds art therapy for one week
$1,000 funds a dedicated social work team for one day
$2,500 funds a small research experiment
Alumni events
Thon doesn’t end for Penn Staters after they graduate. Thon weekend will have ways for alumni to support and be engaged with the event.
The Penn State Alumni Association will sponsor the Thon Pep Rally, scheduled for Saturday evening. It’s one of the most popular events at Thon and features many performances by Penn State athletic teams, special guest appearances and an arena-wide White Out. The alumni association will give out 12,000 T-shirts to dancers and attendees before the pep rally Saturday evening.
On Saturday afternoon there will be an alumni hour, where Ryan Jones, the alumni association’s interim executive officer, and other alumni volunteers will thank dancers and give details on how Penn State students can stay connected to Thon after graduation. Everyone in the BJC will sing the alma mater together, too.
