[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H1194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THON, THE LARGEST STUDENT-RUN PHILANTHROPIC EFFORT IN THE WORLD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and thank Penn State students who have spent the last year dedicating 
countless hours to support a fantastic cause benefiting pediatric 
cancer patients. I am talking about THON.
  This yearlong fundraising effort culminates in an annual 46-hour 
dance marathon to financially and emotionally support more than 4,500 
families with children who are battling cancer.
  THON was founded in 1973 by Penn State fraternities and sororities. 
What began as a small fundraiser bringing in $2,000 in its inaugural 
year has flourished into a campus-wide effort with more than 16,000 
student volunteers across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  This year, Penn State students raised $11.7 million, and, to date, 
students have shattered records and raised nearly $180 million, making 
THON the largest student-run philanthropic effort in the world.
  Of course, their dedication is to be applauded, but ask any Penn 
State student and they agree: THON isn't about them; it is about the 
children and the families fighting cancer.
  Over the years, THON has supported more than 4,000 families with a 
child battling pediatric cancer. Patients are treated at the Penn State 
Hershey Medical Center, and because of THON, many of these families 
never receive a medical bill.
  THON is for the kids, and it is for the families to focus on 
celebrating more birthdays, piano recitals, science fairs, graduations, 
and every other milestone that a child should celebrate without fear. 
THON exists so that one day parents never have to hear the words, 
``Your child has cancer.''
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud of these students; but, more importantly, I 
am proud of the children and the families who have the courage to fight 
back against pediatric cancer.

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