Students to stand up against childhood cancer at THON 2024

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (WTAJ) — The Penn State Dance Marathon, THON, will kick off this Friday, Feb. 16 at the Bryce Jordan Center and students will be dancing for a cure.

The 52nd annual 46-hour no-sitting no-sleeping dance marathon will have over 16,500 student volunteers supporting the fight against childhood cancer. Over 700 students will stand for those 46 hours to show their support for children who are battling cancer and their families. THON kicks off at 6 p.m.

THON has raised over $219,000,000 since partnering with Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in 1977. Last year alone students raised $15,000,000. The money funds research and care while ensuring that none of the 4,800 Four Diamonds families see a medical bill.

Here are just some of the Four Diamond families that THON supports:

The Cosentino family

Celia Cosentino was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor (CNS Ganglioneuroblastoma) in 2018. She endured multiple rounds of chemo and stem-cell transplants. After thirty rounds of proton radiation, Celia finished treatment in 2019.

Read more about Celia’s journey here.

The Jay Jacunski family

Jay was a 16-year-old finishing his sophomore year of high school when on April 27, 2010, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. On Oct. 22, he lost the lost the ability to move half of his face. The cancer had spread to his brain and over the next two months, he declined physically.

After 7 months and 19 days, the Lancaster teen lost his battle to cancer. His family says that he showed them what it’s like to be brave, loving, and strong.

Read more about Jay’s fight here.

Events and fundraisers are held year-round to show support and raise funds. Students also volunteer hours, working year-round to raise both funds and awareness, while building relationships with families impacted by childhood cancer. Then in February, all that hard work culminates with a dance marathon.

Throughout THON Weekend, there will be performances, as well as notable events like Pep Rally featuring Penn State’s Varsity Athletes.

The final four hours of THON will feature family speakers and the much-anticipated total reveal.