Feb 20, 2023
At the conclusion of Penn State THON Weekend 2023, the 46-hour dance marathon's Executive Committee revealed the final total — $15,006,132.46 — breaking the single-year fundraising record for the second year in a row.
THON is the world's largest student-run philanthropy that aims to provide emotional and financial support to Four Diamonds families who have been impacted by childhood cancer, and this weekend was the 51st THON, themed "Foster the Magic."
The 46 hours began at 6 p.m. on Friday and ended at 4 p.m. Sunday with the traditional total reveal, where members of THON's Executive Committee lift numbered signs one by one on the Bryce Jordan Center stage.
This year, 707 dancers took to the Bryce Jordan Center for 46 hours of standing, stretching, and following Thon’s student-choreographed line dance. While they found ways to stay upright and awake, over 16,500 volunteers helped keep the center bustling with energy.
Over the weekend, Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield performed, followed by student musical and dance performances, the Thon Dancer Pageant, Kids Talent Show, Pep Rally, and Kids Fashion Show.
A DJ named Whethan headlined Saturday night, and dancers and spectators geared up for Thon’s Final Four starting at noon. During the Final Four, Thon turns the focus toward the families and children with cancer.
The Thon fundraising total was revealed on Sunday afternoon after the student dancers sat for the first time since Friday. Every year since 2012, the organization has raised over $10 million. Out of the commonwealth campuses that participate in Thon, Penn State Fayette raised the most money with $101,956.89. Zeta Tau Alpha and Alpha Tau Omega led Penn State Greek life organizations in fundraising with $452,621.76. The dancer couple with the highest independent fundraising total, Jaden Sconzo, and Ella Mannarelli, raised $35,751.
Thon has raised over $200 million in support of Four Diamonds families since its inception in 1973 and is celebrating its 50th year as an organization; last year, the philanthropy celebrated its 50th dance marathon.
