Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) introduced a resolution to congratulate the Pennsylvania State University’s IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon on its continued success in support of the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. The Dance Marathon, commonly referred to as THON, raised more than $13.3 million this year, shattering the previous fund-raising record by almost $1 million.
“The students of Penn State deserve recognition for their tremendous efforts and commitment to public service,” said Senator Casey. “Once again THON has exceeded the high standards that we have come to expect from this event. By raising over $13 million for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, students and supporting organizations offer hope and inspiration to pediatric cancer patients and their loved ones.”
"Congratulations to Penn State's students and community for their work to make this year’s THON an overwhelming success," said Senator Toomey. "THON raised more than $13 million to combat pediatric cancer. The compassion and commitment of Penn State's students - as well as their endurance on the dance floor - are inspiring to me and all Pennsylvanians. Penn State should be extremely proud of their work. "
THON consists of student volunteers at Penn State collecting money and dancing for 46 straight hours for the mission of conquering pediatric cancer and promoting awareness of the disease to thousands of individuals.
THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, with 711 dancers, more than 375 supporting organizations and more than 15,000 volunteers involved in the annual event. THON has raised more than $113 million for the Four Diamonds Fund since the two organizations became affiliated in 1977.
The full text of the resolution is below:
Congratulating the Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic
Dance Marathon on its continued success in support of the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.
Whereas the Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (referred to in this preamble as ‘‘THON’’) is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, with 711 dancers, more than 375 supporting organizations, and more than 15,000 volunteers involved in the annual event;
Whereas student volunteers at the Pennsylvania State University annually collect money and dance for 46 consecutive hours at the Bryce Jordan Center for THON, bringing energy and excitement to the Pennsylvania State University campus for THON’s mission to conquer cancer and raise awareness about the disease;
Whereas all THON activities support the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, which funds cancer research and provides financial and emotional support to pediatric cancer patients and their families;
Whereas in each year since 1977, when the 2 organizations first became affiliated, THON has been the single largest donor to the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital;
Whereas THON has raised more than $113,000,000 in total for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital;
Whereas in 2014, THON set a new fundraising record of $13,343,517.33, besting the previous record of $12,374,034.46, which was set in 2013;
Whereas THON has helped more than 3,300 families through the Four Diamonds Fund, is helping to build a new Pediatric Cancer Pavilion at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, and has supported life-saving pediatric cancer research that has increased the survival rates for some pediatric cancers to nearly 90 percent; and
Whereas THON has inspired similar events and organizations across the United States, including at high schools and institutions of higher education, and continues to encourage students across the United States to volunteer and stay involved in great charitable causes in their community: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) congratulates the Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (‘‘THON’’) on its continued success in support of the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital; and
(2) commends the Pennsylvania State University students, volunteers, and supporting organizations for their hard work in putting together another record-breaking THON.
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