Apr. 12, 2019
HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives unanimously approved House Resolution 149, which Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) introduced to recognize THON student volunteers. The organization raised $10,621,683.76 this year to help fight pediatric cancer. THON 2019: Shape the Moment took place Feb. 15-17, 2019.
“I continue to be very impressed and humbled by the dedicated, caring efforts of so many PSU students to volunteer their time to help children they don’t even know and seldom get to meet,” Benninghoff said.”
THON is the commonly referred to name for The Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. It is a year-long fundraising and awareness campaign, sustained by more than 16,500 volunteers who donate over 5 million hours of their own time. THON culminates in a 46-hour dance marathon in which dancers are required to be continuously moving and not allowed to sit or sleep.
“Their tireless efforts are another shining example of the many great things going on at Penn State,” said Benninghoff.
Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital is the sole beneficiary of THON’s fundraising efforts. 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. Four Diamonds also funds pediatric cancer research and cares directly for 500 children with cancer.
“As one of many families who has been a recipient of the Four Diamonds, honoring the volunteers for their year-long effort and dedication is the least I, as a legislator, can do,” Benninghoff said. “I’m honored it passed unanimously.”
Since its inception, THON has raised more than $167 million and supported more than 4,000 children with childhood cancer and their families.
House Resolution 149 passed the House with unanimous, bipartisan support on March 20.
Representative Kerry Benninghoff
171st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Morgan Wagner
717.260.6281
mwagner@pahousegop.com
KerryBenninghoff.com /
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