THON 2025: Inside Penn State's 46-Hour Stand for Kids with Cancer
🎥 VIDEO EPISODE NOTE: This story was created for video and includes incredible visual moments from THON Weekend — from walking through Penn State's player cheer tunnel to experiencing the energy of 16,500 students in the Bryce Jordan Center. For the full experience, watch on YouTube: [LINK]
When Grace Schneider was diagnosed with B-cell leukemia in 2020, her family discovered something unexpected: Penn State's THON — the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, where students stand for 46 hours straight to support children fighting pediatric cancer.
This is their third year experiencing THON Weekend, and in this episode, we follow Grace's family through an incredible weekend of Family Explorers programs. Her father Ben reflects on how the compassion and caring of college students humbles him every year. Her brother Brooks shares what it means to "beat cancer along with my sister, even though I didn't have it." And young adult cancer survivor Eliot Dean describes the energy that feeds him each time he returns.
From touring Penn State's football facility and meeting players like Nicholas Singleton, to walking through the player cheer tunnel, to experiencing the 46-hour dance marathon at the Bryce Jordan Center — THON Weekend creates connections that last far beyond one weekend. Ben shares how both his kids now dream of attending Penn State and playing sports here, inspired by the college students who showed up for them.
Brooks talks about what it meant to support his sister through treatment — sending cards, texts saying "get well soon, keep fighting" — and how THON volunteers became his connection too. Eliot, who has been attending since 2016 despite his diagnosis at age 20 and relapse five years later, explains what "taking the long way around" really means when you're living with cancer.
Behind it all is Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children's Hospital, which ensures families never receive a single bill for their child's cancer treatment. Since 1977, THON has raised over $254 million to cover every cost not paid by insurance — and the support extends far beyond finances.
This isn't just a story about a dance marathon. It's about community, hope, and what happens when 16,500 students decide to stand up for kids who can't.
Topics Covered:
- What THON is and how the 46-hour dance marathon works
- Family Explorers programs across Penn State's campus
- The sibling perspective on childhood cancer ("I beat cancer too")
- How THON inspires kids fighting cancer to dream bigger
- Walking through Penn State football's player cheer tunnel
- Meeting Penn State athletes and building lasting connections
- What Four Diamonds covers beyond medical bills
- How college students create community for cancer families
- Living as a young adult cancer survivor and returning to THON year after year
- Grace's journey from leukemia diagnosis to thriving today
About Life on Pause: Life on Pause is a podcast for and by young adults with cancer. Produced by Penn State Health's AYA Oncology Program and Four Diamonds, each episode is rooted in honest storytelling and community connection. Our content is reviewed by medical and psychosocial experts to ensure accuracy and care.
Join Our Community:
Website: https://www.lifeonpausepodcast.com/
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Learn more about THON: https://thon.org
Four Diamonds: https://fourdiamonds.org
Featured Voices:
- Ben Schneider - Father of Grace, diagnosed with B-cell leukemia in 2020
- Brooks Schneider - Grace's brother, age 12
- Eliot Dean - Young adult cancer survivor, THON attendee since 2016
