THON, Four Diamonds mark 50 years of partnership at Pennsylvania Capitol

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Penn State THON and Four Diamonds marked 50 years of partnership and more than $273 million raised for pediatric cancer care and research with a gathering at the Pennsylvania Capitol during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Members of the General Assembly recognized Four Diamonds and THON at the Sept. 28 event for their impact and commitment to fighting childhood cancer.

Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, chair of the bipartisan Cancer Caucus, commended THON participants for investing their time in the children and families impacted by cancer. Sen. Scott Martin, who made remarks at the event and the Senate floor, emphasized the need for continued resources to develop new, less harsh treatments and ultimately conquer childhood cancer.

Rep. Thomas Mehaffie presented THON and Four Diamonds leaders with a House citation during the event. Sen. Patty Kim presented a Senate citation, and Sens. Dawn Keefer and Cris Dush also offered remarks on the Senate floor in support of the mission.

A gallery of images from the event is available.

“I believe that THON is a movement. It’s the late-night meetings, pre-THON Weekend events, alternative fundraisers, and the shared exhaustion during Final Four THON Weekend,” said Lauren Mellas, THON executive director. “It’s college students choosing to be a part of something bigger than themselves. THON creates a tangible impact in partnership with our sole beneficiary, Four Diamonds.”

Four Diamonds is the only fund of its kind in the nation, covering 100% of out-of-pocket costs not covered by insurance for all standard and research-related childhood cancer treatments for eligible children at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital.

Suzanne Graney, executive director of Four Diamonds, highlighted the partnership’s enduring mission.

“This fight is personal for all of us. I know children who have been diagnosed with cancer,” Graney said. “You probably do, too. And sadly, each year that I’ve been in this role, I’ve met more and more children who have been diagnosed. I have been inspired by the way they face their cancer with the hallmark characteristics of Four Diamonds: courage, wisdom, honesty and strength.”

Through the partnership with THON, Four Diamonds has been able to provide comprehensive assistance to every Four Diamonds child, with more than 5,500 children and families saved from the financial burdens of their care.

For Four Diamonds child Devin Pulaski and her family, some of the most lasting memories of her cancer journey are the relationships and moments of joy that helped her family through treatment.

“I am grateful that my memories from treatment aren't just focused on cancer. Some of the strongest and most lasting memories are of the people who helped me through it,” Pulaski said. “Four Diamonds and THON brought comfort, joy and hope to me and my family when we needed it most. Those relationships still mean the world to me to this day.”

Sarah Iriana, interim chair of pediatrics at Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine, and Smita Dandekar, director of the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program at Golisano Children’s Hospital, spoke to the breadth of expertise that is especially important for children facing cancer and Four Diamonds’ support for research.

“Cancer treatment is never delivered by a single physician. It requires an entire team working together around the child and family,” Iriana said. “At Penn State Health, that team includes more than 30 specialty care providers who tend to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of young people with cancer and their families.”

Funds raised through THON also support local research happening at Penn State College of Medicine. According to the American Association for Cancer Research, in 1977, the overall five-year pediatric cancer survival rate was 63%, but today that survival rate is around 87%, thanks, in part, to research made possible by the partnership between THON and Four Diamonds.

“Four Diamonds helps us bridge the gap between the lab and the patient,” Dandekar said. “It seamlessly unites every single piece of our work, from precision diagnostics to direct patient support, allowing us to truly take discoveries from the bench to the bedside.”

The THON 2027 Executive Committee unveiled this year’s theme, “Where Our Imagination Shines,” during the Penn State Homecoming parade on Sept. 25. THON 2027 will take place Feb. 19-21, 2027, at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park.

About THON

THON is a student-powered philanthropy committed to enhancing the lives of Four Diamonds children and families impacted by childhood cancer. Its mission is to provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness, and fund life-saving research in pursuit of a cure "For The Kids." Follow THON on Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok.

About Four Diamonds

Four Diamonds’ mission is to conquer childhood cancer. Since its founding in 1972, Four Diamonds has supported more than 5,500 children and their families by covering 100% of cancer-related medical expenses and comprehensive specialty childhood cancer care at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital. Four Diamonds also fuels a robust pediatric cancer research program at Penn State Health Golisano Children's Hospital and Penn State College of Medicine, advancing improved treatments and cures to benefit children everywhere. For more information, visit FourDiamonds.org.   

About philanthropy at Penn State

Donors to Penn State advance the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.