Students at Penn State University raised $7.4 million this year to fight childhood cancer.

The record-breaking total was announced yesterday afternoon at the conclusion of the annual two-day dance marathon at the Bryce Jordan Center.

THON, as the event is now known, featured more than 700 dancers, along with 3,000 student volunteers, said Anna Sofio, the state print spokeswoman for this year's efforts. By the end of the event, the Bryce Jordan Center reached capacity, with about 15,000 people cheering on the dancers.

The largest student-run philanthropy in the world, THON raises money for the Four Diamond's Fund at Penn State Children's Hospital.

Since it began in 1972, students have raised more than $52 million.

This year's total was about $800,000 more than last. Ms. Sofio attributes the increase to the faltering economy.

"Since our economy is in a recession, it gave Penn State students more incentive to ... spend more time raising money," she said.