This past weekend I attended Thon, the 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon at Penn State that raises money for pediatric cancer. My grandson, a Highlands High School graduate, is a senior there and has worked for Thon throughout his college years.
It is hard to describe Thon and its impact to anyone who has not seen it. The Bryce Jordan Center is filled to capacity with 15,000 dancers, support staff, students, parents and grandparents. When they are dancing, the noise is pulsating. When families whose children are cancer patients take the stage and thank the students, you can hear a pin drop.
At about 4 p.m. Sunday, the year’s total is revealed: $17.7 million for 2025, a new record, and the place explodes.
The motto of Thon is “For the Kids.” $17.7 million helps a lot of kids who need it. I cannot imagine the organization and work and dedication involved for a bunch of college students to raise that amount of money, year after year. The next generation is in good hands, and all of us should be proud of The Pennsylvania State University.
Bill Allan
Ocean View, Del.
The writer is a former Plum resident.