<p>Time to brag a little bit…The students of Penn State raised $7,838,054.36 for the Four Diamonds Fund during their THON weekend which just concluded at 4pm after a 46 hour dance marathon. That is almost 8 million dollars. So proud of my son and his classmates! His organization, Atlas, affiliated with the Schreyers Honors College raised $266,128.33, the most by any of the independent(non-greek) organization and second overall. FTK!!!</p>
<p>Congratulations to your son and to all of the other students who participated in that fundraising! What is the Four Diamonds Fund?</p>
<p>From the THON.org website…</p>
<p>"Since 1972, The Four Diamonds Fund has served more than 2,000 families, primarily from the Central Pennsylvania area, but also from surrounding states. Approximately 100 new families receive support from The Fund every year.</p>
<p>The mission of The Four Diamonds Fund is to conquer childhood cancer by assisting children treated at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital and their families through superior care, comprehensive support, and innovative research.</p>
<p>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."</p>
<p>I’m sure that what those students did will make a big difference in many families’ lives.</p>
<p>[Home</a> | THON.org - Conquering Childhood Cancer](<a href=“http://www.thon.org/]Home”>http://www.thon.org/)</p>
<p>CONGRATS!!!</p>
<p>THE LARGEST STUDENT RUN PHILANTHROPY IN THE WORLD</p>
<p>Have raised over $61 million since 1977.</p>
<p>Wonderful. My hat would be off if I had been wearing one!</p>