DUBOIS: As preparations intensify for THON Weekend 2026, members of the community are invited to stand behind local students at the upcoming THON Dancer Send-Off Fundraiser, scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, at the Hiller Student Union on the campus of Penn State DuBois.
The event will celebrate and support the students selected to represent the DuBois campus at THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world benefiting children and families impacted by childhood cancer. THON Weekend will take place February 20–22 at Penn State University Park, where dancers will participate in a 46-hour, no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon inside the Bryce Jordan Center.
Left to right: Alex Ross, Amber Eberly and Savannah Ross. Credit: Penn State
This year’s Penn State DuBois THON dancers are Amber Eberly, a third-year criminal justice major; Alex Ross, a first-year mechanical engineering major; and Savannah Ross, a third-year criminal justice major.
For the dancers, being selected to represent the campus is both a personal honor and a serious commitment.
“Being re-selected as a THON dancer means so much to me,” Eberly said. “It doesn’t happen often, and I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to experience it again.”
Each dancer shared that their motivation to participate in THON is rooted in deeply personal experiences and a desire to support families facing childhood cancer.
“I had a close friend who passed away from cancer, so I think of him throughout the weekend,” Eberly said. “Seeing the families and how they’re impacted makes everything we do feel important.”
Savannah Ross said her involvement is driven by a similar connection.
“When I was younger, someone I knew was diagnosed with leukemia,” Ross said. “Now that I’m older, I really understand what families go through, and that’s what motivates me.”
Send-Off Fundraiser Details And Traditions
The February 11 send-off fundraiser will play a key role in helping the dancers reach their fundraising goals before heading to University Park. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the evening will feature dinner, basket raffles, Mega Bingo, rip tickets, a 50/50 raffle, and a variety of additional fundraising opportunities.
A major highlight of the night will be the 25th anniversary of the Hair Auction, a long-standing local tradition. The original participant in the fundraiser will return this year, pledging to cut one inch of hair for every $1,000 raised, up to five inches, and to shave his head entirely if donations reach $7,500.
“We’re hoping this year’s send-off brings in the whole community so we can raise even more for THON,” Ross said.
Dinner tickets are $15 per person and include a meal. Tickets can be purchased directly from organizers or online at https://form.jotform.com/253346545838164. Donations supporting the Hair Auction can be made at https://donate.thon.org/DuBois, with additional instructions to be shared through event comments.
Community Support Makes The Difference
The dancers are preparing both physically and mentally for the demanding weekend ahead, and they emphasized that community involvement plays a critical role in their journey.
“It’s an honor to be selected, especially since this is my first semester involved in THON,” Alex Ross said. “Everything about it feels exciting and new, and I’m really hoping we can exceed expectations this year.”
DuBoisLIVE would like to see 150 people attend the send-off fundraiser to help the dancers reach their $25,000 fundraising goal. Organizers say there will be some truly great prizes available throughout the evening, and attendees can expect a fun, high-energy night built around community and purpose. A great deal of time and effort has gone into planning the event by THON executive board members, and they note that what will truly make the night special is a strong community turnout in support of the cause.
Funds raised through THON benefit Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, which provides financial and emotional support to families affected by childhood cancer. Since its founding in 1973, Penn State THON has raised more than $200 million to advance that mission.
