Recap of THON 2025: A Home For Hope

Thousands of children are affected by childhood cancer each year. Penn State students have found a way to help raise funds for those children and their families. Creating donor drives and dancing for THON, students at Penn State spread awareness about childhood cancer each year.

This year at THON, students helped raise $17.7 million to help fight childhood cancer. In 2024, they raised $16.9 million. Comparing the two years, these are recording breaking numbers! 

THON is the biggest student-run philanthropy in the world, it helps an amazing cause and spreads awareness about childhood cancer. THON is a recipient of Four Diamonds, an organization that helps families with medical expenses concerning children with cancer. THON’s theme this year was “A Home for Hope.” It speaks for the love and joy of the community that THON brings together.

The First Couple Hours

Taking place at the Bryce Jorden Center, THON 2025 had many magical and emotional moments that students will take home with them forever. It started on Feb. 21 at 6:00 p.m., and doors opened at 4:00 p.m. Many organizations came to support and many of them made amazing signs to hold up.

As THON started to take place and everyone was feeling excited, fire alarms went off at the Bryce Jorden Center. It turned out to be no actual emergency, so everyone remained calm and stayed where they were. The fire alarm ended up going off a second time, but again, everyone remained calm.

The surprise act had everyone pumped up and excited to see who was going to be performing. The 2000s band The Fray took to the stage at the Bryce Jorden Center for THON 2025. The band performed many of their songs, including their popular hit “How To Save A Life,” which many at THON will reminisce about for a long time. Lights Out by 8, Adam and The Armadillos and Go Go Gadjet also performed at THON 2025.

The Line Dance and The Kids

Another act that everyone was waiting for was the THON 2025 line dance! The dancer relation captains took over the stage and performed the line dance. The line dance lyrics had both pop culture and Penn State references from throughout the year. The line dance is performed every hour, so a total of 46 times!

The kids had their very own talent show and fashion show that is hosted every year. Many of the kids played instruments, some of them sang their hearts out and some entered a battle amongst each other. Two brothers, Levi and Christian Krodel, dressed up as Jedi’s and took their lightsaber battle to the stage. They ended on a cliffhanger and students put up signs that said, “The saga continues THON 2026.” The fashion show had so many beautiful and creative outfits, and the kids rocked them!

THON’s 2025 pep rally was a hit! Many sports teams took to the Bryce Jorden stage and performed their amazing routines to support the children battling cancer. This pep rally was one to remember.

What was your favorite part of THON 2025? Let us know by tagging us @VALLEYmag on X!

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