Kristen Peterson is a senior at Penn State University, where she studies Public Relations and Business. She has also been member of the Public Relations Student Society of America THON committee for her last 2 years at Penn State.
THON is a student-run philanthropy committed to enhancing the lives of children and families impacted by cancer. Its mission is to provide emotional and financially support, spread awareness and ensuring funding for research, all in pursuit of a cure. THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. "FTK" stands for the kids!
Traditionally, Penn State hosts thousands of dancers and students who gather at the Bryce Jordan Center. The BJC is the home base for THON, where volunteers stay committed on their feet for an entire 46 hours straight. The awareness and donations raise money for pediatric cancer research.
Due to COVID-19, those dancers participated from their own homes this year. Over the past 47 years, the dance marathon has raised over 178 million. The money raised helps children and their families fight cancer. This year, $10, 638, 078.62M was raised!