UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. – Penn State Athletics and its multimedia rightsholder, Penn State Sports Properties, announced today that Planet Fitness will sponsor a new initiative next fall – “Sack Pediatric Cancer” – to benefit THON.
A Planet Fitness franchisee, National Fitness Partners in Camp Hill, is a Penn State corporate partner. The fundraising initiative will kick off this month with Planet Fitness promoting the partnership and fundraising opportunities across various channels. The multi-year “Sack Pediatric Cancer” program will debut with Penn State’s football season to generate even more funding for THON – the largest student-run philanthropy dedicated to enhancing the lives of families impacted by childhood cancer.
For home and away regular-season football games, National Fitness Partners will earmark a donation to THON for every time the Nittany Lions sack an opponent. The community-centric initiative will receive visibility throughout the season across all Penn State Athletics’ official platforms and via certain outlets such as the radio game broadcasts.
“National Fitness Partners, with Planet Fitness, is proud to partner with Penn State Sports and the entire Penn State community on this larger effort to benefit THON and continue the fight against pediatric cancer,” said Stephen Kindler Jr., President and CEO of National Fitness Partners. “We’re excited to work with Penn State to fight together to find a cure for childhood cancer.”
The “Sack Pediatric Cancer” initiative is designed to significantly benefit THON, which provides emotional and financial support for critical research. Each year, more than 16,500 student volunteers participate in the year-long fundraising efforts and, to date, have raised more than $190 million for their sole beneficiary, Four Diamonds at Penn State Children’s Hospital to fight childhood cancer. The non-profit organization was started in 1973 as a way for students to give back to the community.
“Penn State THON™ is incredibly excited to partner with Planet Fitness through the ‘Sack Pediatric Cancer’ Campaign,” said Katie Soloman, Executive Director. “Penn State football and THON are leaders within the Penn State Community, and we know our partnership with Planet Fitness will help to continue to spread THON’s mission throughout the country.”
National Fitness Partners currently owns and operates 96 Planet Fitness locations in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, North Carolina, and South Carolina. National Fitness Partners is one of the largest franchisee organizations with the Planet Fitness system and is backed by Atlanta, Ga.-based private equity firm Argonne Capital.
About Planet Fitness
Founded in 1992 in Dover, NH, Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations. As of December 31, 2020, Planet Fitness had approximately 13.5 million members and 2,124 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Panama, Mexico and Australia. The Company’s mission is to enhance people’s lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone®. More than 95% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women.
Penn State Sports Properties is the local Learfield IMG College team dedicated to representing Penn State Athletics. It oversees the relationship with National Fitness Partners, as well as the Nittany Lions’ comprehensive rights relationship. Learfield IMG College unlocks the value of college sports for brands, fans and universities through the representation of collegiate institutions, conferences and arenas.
THON 2021 to benefit from new “Sack Pediatric Cancer” program with Penn State Athletics and Planet Fitness
