Dance MaraTHON

Having contributed over 26 million dollars to pediatric cancer research and the Four Diamonds Fund since 1977, The Penn State IFC/ Panhellenic Dance Marathon is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world.  In the last three years alone the dance marathon, affectionately known by students as THON, has raised 5 million dollars, helping thousands of families, and attracting world renowned doctors to the Hershey Medical Center to lead research efforts.

Since 1999 Tau Phi Delta joined hands with the sisters of Sigma Alpha and have since contributed over 30,000 dollars to the THON effort.  On a cold, Saturday in January you may find us standing on the side of a road collecting spare change from passersby or walking through local neighborhoods, going door to door for donations, always remembering that our hard work is "For The Kids."

As a way of motivating us as a fraternity we have adopted a family with first hand experience fighting pediatric cancer.  Megan Rohrbaugh is a Four Diamonds child who developed pediatric cancer at the age of four.  She has since recovered, but treatments remain difficult on her and her family.  We value our relationship with the Rohrbaugh family as one of the most important aspects of the THON experience; spending time with them makes us realize exactly what it is our Fraternity and everyone involved with THON are fighting for, The Kids!

This year we are continuing our efforts with THON.  Anyone interested in contributing to the Dance Marathon can contact our THON chair, Br. Luke Ulsamer