A-7 For The Kids
Our goal is simple: To BEAT childhood cancer!
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Mission
THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world with over 15,000 volunteers. Every year, we come together as a family and dance 46 hours for Courage, Wisdom, Honesty, and Strength—the qualities a 14-year old Christopher Millard believed were needed to overcome his evil, unpredictable cancer. Christopher unfortunately lost his fight, but in his place, The Four Diamonds Fund, THON, and A-7 are doing everything we can to celebrate life and beat cancer. Since 1977, THON's efforts have touched thousands of lives.
This is what we do. We will dance until we beat cancer, and then, we will dance with joy. For The Kids!
This is what we do. We will dance until we beat cancer, and then, we will dance with joy. For The Kids!
THON
In 1973, a small group of dedicated Penn State students held our first Dance Marathon. That year, 34 dancers participated and raised $2,000. Since then, THON's presence in the Penn State community has grown exponentially. THON now has 15,000 student volunteers, 700 dancers, and has raised more than $137 million, benefiting The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children's Hospital.
THON is now a year-long effort that raises funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. With the support of students from all across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and THON Alumni all around the world, we continue to make great strides towards finding a cure for all childhood cancers!
Since 1977, THON has assisted more than 2,000 families and during this time, no family has been turned away from the Four Diamonds Fund.
To learn more about THON, please visit THON.org.
THON is now a year-long effort that raises funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. With the support of students from all across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and THON Alumni all around the world, we continue to make great strides towards finding a cure for all childhood cancers!
Since 1977, THON has assisted more than 2,000 families and during this time, no family has been turned away from the Four Diamonds Fund.
To learn more about THON, please visit THON.org.
Four Diamonds Fund
In 1977, THON partnered with The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children's Hospital, and designated The Fund as the sole beneficiary of THON's fundraising efforts. THON still proudly supports The Four Diamonds Fund's efforts to conquer childhood cancer and to date, has contributed more than $137 million to The Fund.
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. The Fund is named after a story that Chris wrote shortly before he lost his battle with cancer at the age of 14. 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.
The Fund offsets the cost of treatment that insurance does not cover, as well as expenses that may disrupt the welfare of the child. Fund 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.
To learn more about The Four Diamonds Fund, please visit their website.
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. The Fund is named after a story that Chris wrote shortly before he lost his battle with cancer at the age of 14. 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.
The Fund offsets the cost of treatment that insurance does not cover, as well as expenses that may disrupt the welfare of the child. Fund 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.
To learn more about The Four Diamonds Fund, please visit their website.