Penn State’s ‘Thon’ Raises Record $16.9 Million

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Hundreds of Penn State students have raised more than $16.9 million for pediatric cancer patients in the annual 46-hour dance marathon known as Thon. The total was announced Sunday afternoon at the conclusion of the Penn State Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon. It topped last year’s total of just over $15 million. Money raised benefits pediatric cancer patients and their families at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Child cancer survivors and their families also participate along with the dancers, who are helped by thousands of other students in support roles. Officials say the dance marathon has helped more than 4,800 families over more than five decades.