This year, Penn State's annual dance marathon (THON) broke last year's record by $347,000, raising $7,838,054 for kids with cancer. THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, has raised over $61 million since it began in 1973 for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children's Hospital.
The Four Diamonds Fund was established by Charles and Irma Millard after the death of their son, Christopher, who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 11. It is named after a story that Christopher wrote shortly before he lost his battle with cancer three years later. In Chris’ story, a knight must find the four diamonds of Courage, Wisdom, Honesty and Strength in order to be released from captivity by an evil sorceress. The four diamonds are symbolic of the traits Chris believed were necessary to overcome cancer.
Most Penn State students are involved with THON in one way or another; and considering there are over 40,000 of them, that's a lot. Whether they are one of the 700+ dancers who go 46 hours with no sitting or sleeping, or volunteer for one of the dozen or so committees that plan the event throughout the year, these college kids push their school work and social lives aside for a greater cause.
Because of the students' hard work and dedication, the Four Diamonds Fund is able to offset the cost of treatment that a family’s insurance won’t cover, as well as provide for other expenses that may affect the welfare of the child. It also supports the medical team that cares for the children and funds pediatric cancer research through start-up grants and the Four Diamonds Pediatric Cancer Research Institute.
Words really can't do THON justice. A fundraiser is a severe understatement. Put simply, as this year's theme suggests, "love belongs here." For The Kids.
For a taste of THON, view the videos posted here: www.youtube.com/user/thontech
For more information about THON, visit thon.org.
