Over $10,000 raised at THON hair auction at Penn State DuBois

DuBOIS, Pa. — An annual tradition at Penn State DuBois leading up to the conclusion of THON season, the 2025 THON sendoff dinner and hair auction were held on Wednesday to celebrate this years’ dancers from the campus and to make a final push toward achieving the campus' donation goal. At the end of the evening, through the efforts of the hair donors, the campus and the community, more than $10,000 was raised to help push the campus past its goal of $25,000.

After a brief introduction to the event from Rebecca Pennington, director of student affairs, student Hannah Allen, a member of the THON committee, came forward to present the THON award of appreciation. This year’s award was presented to Cori Pifer, owner of the Beauty Bar in DuBois, who has graciously donated her time and talents to the hair auction for many years, as well as being an enthusiastic supporter of THON.

“Cori has helped us every year with the hair auction, and we just want to thank you so much and wish you well in your health journey,” Allen said.

One of the highlights of the event is the introduction and sending off of the THON dancers for the year. This year, Penn State DuBois will be represented at THON by Amber Eberly, Gabby Horner, Veronica Mercurio and Paige Miller. Each of them were in attendance at the event to receive support from those in attendance as they prepare for the 46-hour Penn State Dance Marathon that will take place on Feb. 21-23 at the Bryce Jordan Center.

This year, six participants stepped up to donate hair for the cause. Jeff Romano, a fourth-year baseball student athlete, Zaiden Preston, a high school student and family member of the THON co-chair Madee Finalle, Scott Muirhead, lecturer of business administration, Mercurio, one of this year’s THON dancers from Penn State DuBois, Gabby Santoriello, and Maddy Shultz, a first-year softball student athlete, all set goals, helped collect donations and sacrificed their hair to support the campus’ efforts for THON 2025. By the end of the evening, through some wheeling and dealing, each hair donor met their goal and showed their hair hit the floor for the cause.

Overall, Penn State DuBois has now raised nearly $28,000 for THON 2025. Donations can still be made in the days leading up to the dance marathon. Those interested in making a donation, visit the information page for Penn State DuBois THON.

Penn State THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world in which thousands of volunteers are committed to enhancing the lives of children and 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 families, as well as to spread its mission and bring awareness to childhood cancer. Since its start in 1973, THON has raised over $200 million dollars to support Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.