Abington THON breaks record during first canning weekend

AbingtonTHON

It's the season for THON canning.

Credit: Penn State

Penn State Abington THON kicked off fundraising efforts for the 2014 IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, raising a record $9,000 during its first canning weekend.

THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world providing emotional and financial support to pediatric cancer patients, their families, researchers and staff at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital through the Four Diamonds Fund. Almost 96 percent of the $12.3 million raised during the 2013 THON campaign went directly to the Four Diamonds.

Abington THON has “adopted” two Four Diamonds families, the Chapmans and the Getzs, over the years. Gabrielle Chapman was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was 2 years old, and six years later, she is in remission. Heidi Getz was diagnosed with leukemia in 1987 at age 4. Her cancer went into remission two years later, and she is now a healthy adult.

In addition to canning, Abington THON raises money by staging the annual Pie-In-The-Face where volunteers receive whipped cream facials in exchange for donations. They also stage a THON carnival and several other events.

To donate to Abington THON, go to www.giveto.psu.edu/s/1218/thon/2012/index.aspx?sid=1218&gid=3&pgid=1298.