Penn State's THON 2015 raises more than $13 million

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WPVI) -- Penn State's THON 2015 has raised more than $13 million - all for the kids.

This year's grand total was $13,026,653.23.

It was another big reveal for a big cause to cap off a yearlong philanthropic effort led by these students.

The 46-hour long dance marathon kicked off Friday night in State College and ended at 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

More than 700 students were on their feet dancing the weekend away inside the Bryce Jordan Center - all to raise money to help in the fight against pediatric cancer.

Click here to check out PHOTOS from THON 2015!

"It's surreal. Honestly when you think about what THON is and what the organization does," said Paul Zakrezewski.

Action News was there where we met families like the Wagners whose daughter Brittany is battling lymphatic cancer.

"You can't put into words. It's so great what they are doing, I love them all so much," said Brittany Wagner.

On Sunday afternoon - it was an emotional scene as students entered the final hours and heard from Brandon Loose's mother.

Cancer took the little boy's life in 2008.

"You do not have to do what you do, standing for 46 hours, spending countless hours and so much more to make THON what it is just so people like me can take care of our children without worrying about bills," said Jamie Eager, mother.

Their hard work, sweat and tears raised money for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Medical Center to help patients undergoing treatment and their families.

THON is billed as the largest student-run philanthropy in the world.

Thousands of student volunteers play a role in planning THON and helping the dancers make it through the grueling weekend.

Ahead of THON, they also go 'canning' across the region, asking motorists to drop donations in large cans.

Since 1977, students have collected more than $100 million in donations to fight pediatric cancer.

Last year's tally was $13.34 million.