Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, THON raised more than $10.6 million this year for the Four Diamonds Fund that fights childhood cancer.
Penn State Beaver’s THON Committee contributed more than $10,354 toward the amount raised.
THON announced the fundraising total at the end of the modified 46-hour marathon Feb. 21. It’s about $1 million short of last year’s pre-pandemic total.
The Four Diamonds Fund supports pediatric cancer research and the care for children and families that are enduring the fight against childhood cancer.
Beaver’s three dancers – sophomores Allyson Pinchot and Samantha Freed and senior Marissa King – spent most of the three-day weekend on their feet in the Student Union Building Lodge, where a livestream of the weekend’s events was broadcast on one of the large screens.
“It was a very tiring but rewarding weekend. I was surprised at how well I did over the weekend,” Freed said. “My main problem was my feet hurting, but I found ways to help.”
Pinchot said Beaver’s THON Committee held fundraisers, such as selling grilled stickies and raffling off baskets of gift cards that brought in about $2,000. But with the pandemic, fundraising events were more limited than in the past and didn’t bring in nearly the funds they normally would.
Online donations – supporting an individual dancer, committee member or Beaver’s committee in general – brought in about 80 percent of the funds. Pinchot was the top individual fundraiser, having exceeded her goal of $2,000.
“I’m super proud of everyone and super happy that we were able to raise that much money in the middle of the pandemic,” Pinchot said. “It really showed to us that our dedication paid off and we can help these kids.”
A big motivator for the dancers this year was having family and friends visit or log on to Beaver’s own livestream during the weekend to share in the event. “It was a weekend I will never forget!” Freed said.
The event is typically held at the Bryce Jordan Center at University Park, but the pandemic forced organizers to cancel plans for the normal mass gathering.
“Normally there are tons of people there and you get to make new friends and there is a lot of hype and excitement there,” said King.
Pinchot agreed. “Last year I was in the stands, but there was constant music playing from bands and the line dance.” The line dance, which is repeated almost hourly, highlights events that happened in the past year.
“When I got to go onto the floor to visit our dancers, there were THON kids who engaged with us and started a water gun battle,” Pinchot added.
This year, THON took place in a virtual format with some dancers joining from campus locations, like at Beaver, but most connecting from home, their off-campus apartment or dorm room. At the Bryce Jordan Center, there was a limited set-up that allowed performances to be livestreamed, while following COVID-19 protocol.
At Beaver, there were 20 people at most in the Lodge at any given time – a sharp contrast to the normal THON comradery.
During different hours of the day, there were different themes. One theme was superheroes, and the dancers made their own capes. To pass the time, there were activities such as board games, giant Jenga, corn hole, golf and more.
“The THON Committee tried (its) hardest to make it fun and exciting, but obviously that is hard to do virtually,” King said.
King said she graduates this fall but will still be a part of THON by asking others to donate.
THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world and is committed to enhancing the lives of children and families that are affected by childhood cancer. Its mission is to provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness and ensure funding for critical research.
Since its inception in 1973, THON has raised nearly $180 million.