Penn State's Thon Raises More Than $13 Million
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Hundreds of students taking part in Penn State's annual dance marathon over the weekend have raised more than $13 million for pediatric cancer research and care.
The Penn State Dance Marathon known as "Thon" began Friday night at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College and wound up at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Organizers announced that the 46-hour event billed as the largest student-run philanthropy raised $13,026,653. Last year's record-breaking tally was $13.34 million.
Thousands of students play a role in planning the event, soliciting donations from motorists and helping more than 700 dancers make it through the grueling weekend.
Since 1977, students have raised more than $100 million in donations to help young cancer patients and their families through the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.
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