Pennsylvania SR 231: A Resolution designating the weekend of February 20 through 22, 2026, as "THON Weekend" in Pennsylvania and honoring the work of The Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon student volunteers.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1466
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No. 231
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY LANGERHOLC, DUSH, MARTIN, PITTMAN, FARRY,
LAUGHLIN, ROBINSON, VOGEL, BROOKS, PHILLIPS-HILL, J. WARD,
STEFANO, TARTAGLIONE, HUGHES, HAYWOOD, COMITTA, CAPPELLETTI,
KANE AND FONTANA, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
A RESOLUTION
Designating the weekend of February 20 through 22, 2026, as
"THON Weekend" in Pennsylvania and honoring the work of The
Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon
student volunteers.
WHEREAS, THON is the commonly referred to name for The
Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon,
the largest student-run philanthropy event in the world; and
WHEREAS, THON's mission is to provide emotional and financial
support, spread awareness and ensure funding for critical
research in pursuit of a cure for pediatric cancer; and
WHEREAS, THON 2026 "Love Leads Forward" celebrates a yearlong
fundraising and awareness campaign, sustained by more than
16,500 student volunteers who donate more than 5 million hours
of their own time; and
WHEREAS, THON culminates in a 46-hour dance marathon in which
dancers are required to be continuously moving and not allowed
to sit or sleep; and
WHEREAS, In 1977, THON partnered with the Four Diamonds Fund
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at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital and chose Four
Diamonds as the sole beneficiary of THON's fundraising efforts;
and
WHEREAS, Four Diamonds offsets the cost of treatment that
insurance does not cover, including medical and emotional
support to ensure that all of a child's needs are met, and
supports the medical team that cares for the children; and
WHEREAS, Four Diamonds funds pediatric cancer research
through start-up grants and the Four Diamonds Pediatric Cancer
Research Center and cares directly for 500 children with cancer,
100 of whom are children who have been newly diagnosed; and
WHEREAS, Since 1977, THON has raised more than $254 million
to help provide emotional and financial support to the children,
families, researchers and staff of the Four Diamonds Fund; and
WHEREAS, The total fundraising amount of THON 2025 was
$17,737,040; and
WHEREAS, THON has inspired similar events and organizations
across the United States, including at high schools and
institutions of higher education, and continues to encourage
students throughout the nation to volunteer and stay involved in
great charitable causes in their communities and with their
families; and
WHEREAS, Since its introduction, THON has supported more than
4,800 children and families with childhood cancer and to this
day continues to enable research and improve treatments, cures
and benefits to ensure the care of children with cancer around
the world; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the weekend of February
20 through 22, 2026, as "THON Weekend" in Pennsylvania and honor
the work of The Pennsylvania State University IFC/Panhellenic
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Dance Marathon student volunteers.
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