PRINTER'S NO. 2639
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
328
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY BENNINGHOFF, CONKLIN, MARCELL, TAKAC, BERNSTINE,
CAUSER, FEE, FLICK, HILL-EVANS, KINSEY, MARSHALL, NEILSON,
PICKETT, SAMUELSON, SANCHEZ, SCHEUREN, STEHR, VITALI, CEPEDA-
FREYTIZ, JOZWIAK AND HEFFLEY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 27, 2024
A RESOLUTION
Designating March 19, 2024, as "The Pennsylvania State
University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) Day" in
Pennsylvania and congratulating THON for raising nearly $17
million for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey
Children's Hospital to help fight pediatric cancer.
WHEREAS, THON is the commonly referred-to name for The
Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon,
the largest student-run philanthropy event in the world; and
WHEREAS, THON is a yearlong fundraising and awareness
campaign to fight pediatric cancer, sustained by more than
16,500 volunteers who donate more than 5 million hours of their
own time, that culminates in a 46-hour dance marathon in which
dancers are required to be continuously moving and not allowed
to sit or sleep; and
WHEREAS, In 1977, THON partnered with the Four Diamonds Fund
at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital and chose Four
Diamonds as the sole beneficiary of THON's fundraising efforts;
and
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WHEREAS, Four Diamonds offsets the cost of treatment that
insurance does not cover, including medical and emotional
support to ensure that all of a child's needs are met, and
supports the medical team that cares for the children; and
WHEREAS, Four Diamonds funds pediatric cancer research
through start-up grants and the Four Diamonds Pediatric Cancer
Research Center and cares directly for 500 children with cancer,
100 of which are children who have been newly diagnosed; and
WHEREAS, Since 1977, THON has raised more than $200 million
to help provide emotional and financial support to the children,
families, researchers and staff of the Four Diamonds Fund; and
WHEREAS, THON 2024 took place February 16 through 18, 2024,
at the Bryce Jordan Center at The Pennsylvania State University;
and
WHEREAS, THON 2024, Treasure Every Adventure, revealed its
total fundraising amount of $16,955,683.63, breaking THON's
yearly record for the third consecutive year; 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 throughout the nation to volunteer and stay involved in
great charitable causes in their communities; and
WHEREAS, Since its introduction, THON has supported more than
4,000 children and families with childhood cancer and to this
day continues to enable research and improve treatments, cures
and benefits to ensure the cure of children with cancer around
the world; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate March
19, 2024, as "The Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic
Dance Marathon (THON) Day" in Pennsylvania and congratulate THON
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on its continued success in support of the Four Diamonds Fund at
Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend The
Pennsylvania State University students, volunteers and
supporting organizations for their hard work in putting THON
together.
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