Thon brings in millions for kids suffering cancer

What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, February 6, 2017:

Talk with almost any Penn State graduate from the last 40 years and Thon will often be mentioned as one of the highlights of their college experience. 

Talk with anyone who has been involved with planning or staging Thon and you’ll probably hear how the 46-hour dance marathon held every February has helped support children with cancer and their families as well as contribute to research.

This year’s Thon is scheduled to begin Friday, February 17^th.    It marks the 40^th anniversary that Thon has benefitted the Four Diamonds Fund at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center. 

Thon is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world.  About 136 million dollars has been raised over the years.

We’ll learn more about Thon and what the money raised supports on Monday’s Smart Talk.

Appearing on the program are Suzanne Graney, Executive Director of the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Austin Sommerer, Executive Director of Thon and Dr. Valerie Brown, heads of experimental therapeutics at Penn State Hershey.