6ABC WPVI-TV PHILADELPHIA TO PRODUCE TELECAST ‘DANCING FOR A CURE – LIVE FROM THON™’
Live Coverage Begins Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m. WABC-TV New York and WATM-TV Johnstown To Syndicate
6abc WPVI-TV announced today that it will once again feature THON™, the world’s largest student-run philanthropy, for the fifth consecutive year. “Dancing For a Cure – Live From THON”will be hosted by 6abc anchors Caroline Goggin (Goggin is a Penn State alum and danced at THON her senior year.), Walter Perez and fellow Penn State alum, and meteorologist Brittany Boyer. The exclusive underwriter for the broadcast will be Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital. Each year, over 700 Penn State students commit to dance for 46 hours to raise money to help Four Diamonds fight childhood cancer. Last year, students raised more than $17 million, soaring past the previous year’s total. THONkicks off Friday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m., and wraps 46 hours later, Sunday at 4 p.m.
“THON is so grateful for 6abc, Four Diamonds, and Penn State Health for working to elevate the story of THON and the collective effort to Conquer Childhood Cancer,” says Ben Roitman, executive director of THON 2026. “THON Weekend is a beautiful display of shared hope for a cure, and a space for kids to be kids and families to be families. This community shows up year in and out for children and families impacted by childhood cancer, and I am so grateful to get to closely witness our efforts this year.”
Penn State’s THON is now in its 54th year and is a year-round effort to raise money in the fight against childhood cancer. Each spring, new student leadership is selected. During the summer, the student volunteers conduct outreach with smaller fundraising efforts and pay visits to Four Diamonds children and their families impacted by childhood cancer. In the fall, the planning for the dance marathon kicks into high gear. The students mobilize all the team captains, and THON Weekend begins to take shape.
THON is programmed and produced entirely by Penn State students. They configure the Bryce Jordan Center, build the stage, manage the concessions, and handle all the custodial duties.
All money raised benefits Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pennsylvania. THON’s first dance marathon in 1973 raised just over $2,000. Since then, THON has raised more than $254 million.
The program will also be syndicated by ABC7/WABC-TV New York and WATM/Altoona.
ABOUT THON™
THON™ is the largest student-run philanthropy committed to enhancing the lives of Four Diamonds children and their families impacted by childhood cancer. THON is comprised of over 16,500 Penn State student volunteers who aim to provide emotional and financial support to Four Diamonds children and their families and spread the mission of THON and childhood cancer. Since its start in 1977, THON has raised over $254 million to support its sole beneficiary, Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital. THON 2025 raised a record breaking $17.7 million For The Kids®.
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About Four Diamonds
Four Diamonds’ mission is to conquer childhood cancer. Since its creation in 1972, Four Diamonds has helped more than 5,500 children and families by ensuring every eligible Four Diamonds child receives their cancer care at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital without seeing a bill. Four Diamonds also supports a robust pediatric cancer research program at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital and Penn State College of Medicine, which is dedicated to seeking improved treatments and cures for childhood cancer to benefit every child around the world. For more information, visit FourDiamonds.org.
About Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital
Golisano Children’s Hospital at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is the top-rated and most comprehensive children’s hospital between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, fully equipped to treat the most severely ill or injured children with both the highest-level neonatal intensive care unit and a Level I pediatric trauma center. Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital physicians and nurses provide a full spectrum of support and highly specialized care to infants, children and adolescents. Located on the campus of Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, the children’s hospital delivers exceptional care for children, including advanced treatments for complex conditions such as heart disease and cancer. Our patients benefit from the highest quality of care, close to home. Beyond the hospital, child-friendly facilities provide access to expert pediatric specialty services within communities throughout the region.
About 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia
For over half a century, 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia has been broadcasting to viewers in the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys, an area covering southeastern Pennsylvania, northern and central Delaware and southern New Jersey. As the No. 1 station in Philadelphia for almost 45 years, 6abc Action News delivers local news, information, traffic and weather to more than 3 million homes. Action News captures nearly half (41%) of all Adult 25-54 news viewers on an average day*. In the past year, Action News has won 2,757 out of 2,789 newscasts in Households for a winning percentage of 98.9%.†
* Based on February 2025 – January 2026 Nielsen data.
†Based on February 2025 – January 2026 Nielsen data.
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Media Contacts:
6abc WPVI-TV
Mike Monsell
mike.monsell@abc.com
ABC Owned Television Stations
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com