HR 107 — A Resolution designating March 19, 2025, as "The Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) Day" in Pennsylvania and congratulating THON for raising more than $17 million for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital to help fight pediatric cancer.

PRINTER'S NO.   891

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



              HOUSE RESOLUTION
                 No. 107
                                                 Session of
                                                   2025

     INTRODUCED BY BENNINGHOFF, ANDERSON, BERNSTINE, BRIGGS, CAUSER,
        COOPER, FLICK, GREINER, GUENST, K.HARRIS, HEFFLEY, MARCELL,
        MOUL, PICKETT, PUGH, RIVERA, SAMUELSON, STENDER, TWARDZIK,
        VENKAT, VITALI AND WENTLING, MARCH 11, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 11, 2025


                                  A RESOLUTION
 1   Designating March 19, 2025, as "The Pennsylvania State
 2      University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) Day" in
 3      Pennsylvania and congratulating THON for raising more than
 4      $17 million for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey
 5      Children's Hospital to help fight pediatric cancer.
 6         WHEREAS, THON is the commonly referred-to name for The
 7   Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon,
 8   the largest student-run philanthropy event in the world; and
 9         WHEREAS, THON is a yearlong fundraising and awareness
10   campaign to fight pediatric cancer, sustained by more than
11   16,500 volunteers who donate more than 5 million hours of their
12   own time, that culminates in a 46-hour dance marathon in which
13   dancers are required to be continuously moving and not allowed
14   to sit or sleep; and
15         WHEREAS, In 1977, THON partnered with the Four Diamonds Fund
16   at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital and chose Four
17   Diamonds as the sole beneficiary of THON's fundraising efforts;
18   and
 1         WHEREAS, Four Diamonds offsets the cost of treatment that
 2   insurance does not cover, including medical and emotional
 3   support to ensure that all of a child's needs are met, and
 4   supports the medical team that cares for the children; and
 5         WHEREAS, Four Diamonds funds pediatric cancer research
 6   through start-up grants and the Four Diamonds Pediatric Cancer
 7   Research Center and cares directly for 500 children with cancer,
 8   100 of which are children who have been newly diagnosed; and
 9         WHEREAS, Since 1977, THON has raised more than $200 million
10   to help provide emotional and financial support to the children,
11   families, researchers and staff of the Four Diamonds Fund; and
12         WHEREAS, THON 2025 took place February 21 through 23, 2025,
13   at the Bryce Jordan Center at The Pennsylvania State University;
14   and
15         WHEREAS, THON 2025, A Home for Hope, revealed its total
16   fundraising amount of $17,737,040.93, breaking THON's yearly
17   record for the fourth consecutive year; and
18         WHEREAS, THON has inspired similar events and organizations
19   across the United States, including at high schools and
20   institutions of higher education, and continues to encourage
21   students throughout the nation to volunteer and stay involved in
22   great charitable causes in their communities; and
23         WHEREAS, Since its introduction, THON has supported more than
24   4,000 children and families with childhood cancer and to this
25   day continues to enable research and improve treatments, cures
26   and benefits to ensure the cure of children with cancer around
27   the world; therefore be it
28         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate March
29   19, 2025, as "The Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic
30   Dance Marathon (THON) Day" in Pennsylvania and congratulate THON

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1   on its continued success in support of the Four Diamonds Fund at
2   Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital; and be it further
3      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend The
4   Pennsylvania State University students, volunteers and
5   supporting organizations for their hard work in putting THON
6   together.




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