HR 445 — A Resolution designating April 8, 2026, as "The Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) Day" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   3021

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 445
                                              Session of
                                                2026

     INTRODUCED BY BENNINGHOFF, ANDERSON, ARMANINI, BOROWSKI, CAUSER,
        CONKLIN, CUTLER, DEASY, FLEMING, FLICK, GILLEN, GREINER,
        GUENST, HADDOCK, HAMM, HEFFLEY, KEPHART, KRUPA, MADSEN,
        MARCELL, MENTZER, MOUL, NEILSON, PICKETT, PUGH, RIVERA, ROWE,
        SCHEUREN, SHAFFER, STAMBAUGH, STENDER, TWARDZIK, VITALI,
        WARREN, WATRO AND WENTLING, MARCH 17, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, RECREATION AND ECONOMIC
        DEVELOPMENT, MARCH 18, 2026


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Designating April 8, 2026, as "The Pennsylvania State University
 2      IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) Day" in Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, THON is the commonly used name for The Pennsylvania
 4   State University Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance
 5   Marathon, the largest student-run philanthropy event in the
 6   world; and
 7      WHEREAS, THON is a yearlong fundraising and awareness
 8   campaign to fight pediatric cancer, sustained by more than
 9   16,500 volunteers who donate more than 5 million hours of their
10   own time, that culminates in a 46-hour dance marathon during
11   which dancers are required to be continuously moving and are not
12   permitted to sit or sleep; and
13      WHEREAS, In 1977, THON partnered with Four Diamonds at Penn
14   State Health Golisano Children's Hospital and selected Four
15   Diamonds as the sole beneficiary of THON's fundraising efforts;
 1   and
 2         WHEREAS, Four Diamonds offsets costs of treatment not covered
 3   by insurance, including medical and emotional support, and
 4   supports the medical team that cares for 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 provides direct support to children with
 8   cancer and their families; and
 9         WHEREAS, Since 1977, THON has raised more than $200 million
10   to provide emotional and financial support to children,
11   families, researchers and staff associated with Four Diamonds;
12   and
13         WHEREAS, THON 2026, "Love Leads Forward," revealed a total
14   fundraising amount of $18,841,726.53, breaking THON's yearly
15   record for the fifth consecutive year; and
16         WHEREAS, THON has inspired similar events and organizations
17   across the United States, including at high schools and
18   institutions of higher education, and continues to encourage
19   students throughout the nation to volunteer and remain involved
20   in charitable causes in their communities; and
21         WHEREAS, Since its inception, THON has supported more than
22   4,000 children and families impacted by childhood cancer and
23   continues to enable research and improve treatments, cures and
24   benefits for children with cancer; therefore be it
25         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate April
26   8, 2026, as "The Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic
27   Dance Marathon (THON) Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
28         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize THON
29   for raising more than $18 million for Four Diamonds at Penn
30   State Health Golisano Children's Hospital to help fight

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1   pediatric cancer; and be it further
2      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives acknowledge The
3   Pennsylvania State University students, volunteers and
4   supporting organizations for their hard work in planning and
5   conducting THON.




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