Another Penn State Thon record: $18.8M raised to help fight childhood cancer
The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon has smashed another annual fundraising record, with a total of $18,841,726 announced Sunday in the Bryce Jordan Center.
That makes more than $272 million raised for Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital since 1977, and it’s about $1 million more than last year’s total, which was another record year.
Thon’s 2026 total was revealed Sunday afternoon after more than 700 dancers finally sat down after 46 hours of the no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon.
Thon is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, and Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey is the sole beneficiary of the funds. The money is used to help families afford medical expenses and fund cancer research.
Through the weekend, Thon children and families joined the dancers at the BJC for games, activities, a talent show and more.
“When you’re a Four Diamonds kid, you’re also involved with Thon, which just becomes the world’s largest family and is there for you,” Braden Fleagle, a Penn State student, Thon dancer and former Four Diamonds child, told the CDT on Friday night. “I still keep in touch with so many volunteers from past years, and they’re just all incredible.”
The first night of Thon featured band Fitz and the Tantrums as the event’s annual national act and surprise performer. Saturday highlights included the pep rally, where Penn State men’s soccer took the winner’s trophy and new Penn State football coach Matt Campbell energized the crowd.
On Sunday, dancers did the final line dances of the weekend and Thon Family Hour showcased the deep impact the annual event continues to have.
The total reveal on Sunday also included the organizations and individuals that raised the most money toward the Thon 2026 total:
- The independent couple that raised the most was Andrew Perillo and Jorge Cuza, with $73,423
- The commonwealth campus that raised the most was Behrend, with $76,680
- The general organization that raised the most was Phi Gamma Nu with $355,117
- The Greek organization that raised the most was Zeta Tau Alpha and Alpha Tau Omega, with $551,071
- The special interest organization that raised the most was Atlas with $300,317
- The committee that raised the most was Family Relations
This story was originally published February 22, 2026 at 4:29 PM.