Mar. 13, 2018
HARRISBURG –The House of Representatives today unanimously approved
House Resolution 723, congratulating Pennsylvania State University students for raising $10,151,663.93 this year to help fight pediatric cancer.
“I continue to be impressed by selflessness commitment demonstrated by these incredible students year after year after year” said Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), sponsor of the resolution.
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 sustained by more than 16,500 student volunteers who collect money and dance for 46 consecutive hours at the Bryce Jordan Center to raise awareness of the disease.
“In a day when so many point to the younger generation and ask, ‘What are they doing to better their community?’ I am thankful that those of us in Happy Valley can proudly respond, ‘Fighting for a cure.’”
The mission of THON is to conquer pediatric cancer by providing outstanding emotional and financial support to the children, families, researchers and staff of The Four Diamonds Fund. The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital offsets the cost of treatment that insurance does not cover, as well as covers expenses that may affect the welfare of the child, supports the medical team that cares for the children and funds pediatric cancer research.
“As someone who was once on the receiving end of the Four Diamonds Fund, it continues to both amaze and humble me that young people would work so hard and dance so tirelessly for families they, for the most part, don’t even know,” Benninghoff said. “Just imagine a world with more goodness and kindness like that.”
Since its inception, THON has helped 3,700 families and raised more than $147 million.
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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