STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- It took 46 hours of nonstop dancing, but students at Penn State raised $5.2 million over the weekend to help children with cancer.

The money raised at the annual Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon beat last year's total by $1 million, organizers said.

Thousands of supporters packed the Bryce Jordan Center yesterday for the final hours of "Thon." They clapped and cheered alongside 708 dancers who partied for two days straight to raise money for the Four Diamonds Fund, which helps children with cancer who are treated at Penn State Children's Hospital in Hershey.

Although food and drinks were available throughout the event, a few students needed additional fluids and were sent to the hospital as a precaution, said event spokeswoman Megan Kendrick.

Since Thon began 34 years ago, more than $45 million has been raised.