Dancing For A Difference: How THON impacts families like Daniel Popjes’

What first started as a small way to give back to the community, quickly became one of the biggest student-run philanthropies in the world.

THON was first organized in 1973 with only 73 volunteer dancers and raised over $2000. Fast forward to 2024, the cause has well over 16,000 dancers and raised a record-breaking goal of $16.9 million, and $236 million raised in total.

The sole purpose of THON is to provide financial support for children battling childhood cancer. Its sole beneficiary is Four Diamonds at Penn State Health’s Children’s Hospital.

Its mission reads: “To provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness, and ensure funding for critical research—all in pursuit of a cure.”

This life-changing 46-hour dance marathon has marked a significant impact on Daniel Popjes' life, even before he was born. The lively six-year-old, with a deep love for sloths, was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma—a tumor on his liver—when he was nine months old.

Daniel Popjes has undergone four cycles of cisplatin chemotherapy and has had half of his liver removed, as well as nine other surgeries all before his first birthday.

Following his diagnosis on March 8, 2019, his mother Shannon Popjes faced lots of emotional distress. She shared with THON that she continued working during his illness because it was “what needed to be done.”

The mother of the light-spirited six-year-old shares she has been “blessed” by the help of THON. The Popjes family has been paired with Penn State Club Baseball and Field Hockey.

Organizations paired with THON families help support their individual fundraisers, as well as create special bonds with the families. Before the infamous 46 hours, helping organizations participate in the THON 5k and Family Carnival.

During this year's THON 5k, Mrs. Popjes got the chance to speak in front of the entire THON community to share her son’s powerful story. She expressed how meaningful THON is to her family, sharing, “THON is his Christmas.”

During the heavily anticipated THON weekend, volunteer dancers are delivered letters at the Bryce Jordan Center from Four Diamond Kids. Shannon Popjes shares that she was involved in these deliveries as part of her volunteer work in THON, before having her son.

PSBC x PSFHC has been paired with the Popjes family since 2020 and continues to support him on his journey. “My child would be lost without the organization standing behind me,” Shannon Popjes says.

So far this year, PSBC x PSFHC have raised 50% of their total fundraising goal for THON and the Popjes’.

Mrs. Popjes says, “We have big sisters now that we can reach out to, that will help distract us from everything that’s going on.” She continues, “I can honestly say, I don’t know where we’d be without them.”

On Feb. 14, 2022, the Monday before THON, the Popjes family got to ring the survivor bell. This marked the end of Daniel Popjes’ treatment. “It was amazing,” his mother says. “We’ve been waiting for that point for so long.”

THON continues their cause to battle childhood cancer “For The Kids.” The Popjes family will find THON’s support again this year in hopes of moving fully into the survivorship program this December.

Natalee Bravo is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact her, email nbb5612@psu.edu.