What are Penn State students’ two most favorite things? Most would answer football season and THON. With more than 80,000 passionate Penn Staters, the 2024 THON football game was more than just another Saturday in Happy Valley. It was a time to learn about Penn State’s mission of service and giving back, as well as showcase the love of football. The Penn State Nittany Lions took on Bowling Green on Sept. 7 in a close game of 34-27. The crowd not only rallied for a victory on the field but for a larger mission: supporting the fight against pediatric cancer.
For the Kids
THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. It began in 1973 as a small charity event to raise money for a local cause. Today, more than 16,000 students participate in THON. Whether through committees, special interest organizations or as independent dancer couples, many students thrive being a part of THON’s community. The 46-hour, no-sleeping, no-sitting dance marathon raised $16.9 million in 2024 for the Four Diamonds charity.
Four Diamonds
Four Diamonds’ mission is to conquer childhood cancer. The charity is dedicated to supporting families with children who have pediatric cancer by assisting with medical costs not covered by insurance. It also funds research efforts aimed to finding a cure. Four Diamonds has supported thousands of children at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Since 1973, THON has raised more than $236 million for Four Diamonds. Founded in 1972, the charity has helped more than 4,800 childhood cancer patients and their families at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, covering 100% of medical bills.
Game Day
As fans hustled into the stadium, students filled up the S-Zone in the student section (as seen below). The gold ribbon, an international symbol of childhood cancer, was displayed alongside the traditional “S”. As the game began, Four Diamonds child Kimberly Bender served as the honorary “Kickoff Kid”. Bender was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a cancer that forms in the tissue of the liver, in Aug. 2014. Hepatoblastoma is the most common type of childhood liver cancer. Bender underwent six inpatient chemotherapy treatments and a surgery that removed more than half of her liver. Thankfully, Bender was declared in remission in Dec. 2014.
Four Diamonds families had the opportunity to walk into Beaver Stadium with the Penn State football team and Blue Band before the game. As the first quarter ended and the second quarter progressed, many Four Diamonds families appeared alongside the THON 2025 executive committee. With both the children and committee directors holding signs reading “Go State Beat Cancer”, it was a wholesome moment shared by the entire stadium.
THON will host multiple athletic events benefitting the cause this year, with the Penn State versus Bowling Green football being the first of the academic athletic season. With soccer, basketball, volleyball and many other teams supporting THON, it’s an exciting way to raise money to fight childhood cancer!
You can learn more about THON by following their social media, including their Instagram @PennStateTHON, Twitter/X @THON, Facebook at Penn State THON and TikTok @PennStateTHON.
Tweet @VALLEYmag on X about how you are getting involved in THON this school year!
