The Berks Benefitting THON student organization at Penn State Berks raised more than $36,287 and earned the seventh spot for THON fundraising among Penn State Commonwealth Campuses. The results were announced at the end of the 46-hour THON dance marathon to benefit Four Diamonds on Feb. 19.

The overall total raised for THON 2023 was more than $15 million and broke THON's yearly record for the second year in a row. From Feb. 17 to 19, Penn State students from every campus gathered at the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University Park for THON - the 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon to benefit Four Diamonds, which supports families battling pediatric cancer.

The Berks students hosted various fundraisers throughout the year, including the Berks Benefitting THON 5K Run and Cuts for Kids sponsored by Studio West Hair Salon in Wyomissing. Berks Benefitting THON's biggest fundraiser of the year is the "Inspire the Night" benefit dinner, which raised approximately $16,000 for the organization this year.

This year, six dancers from Berks participated. Among them was senior accounting major Hunter Leisey. Also participating were sophomores Savannah Bogari, business; Jenna Krick, psychology; Sunrose "Sunni" Rousnee, psychology and political science; and Aidan Seyler, forensic science. First-year computer engineering major Sara Imad Abdel-Karim also attended.

Berks Benefitting THON is advised by Aubrey Edwards, academic adviser; Ryan Hassler, associate teaching professor of mathematics; and Alexa Wojciechowski, coordinator of placement and internships.