Frequently Asked Questions

Four Diamonds is named after a story written by Christopher Millard, before he lost his battle with cancer at the age of 14. In the story, a knight must find the four diamonds of courage, wisdom, honesty and strength to be released from an evil sorceress. Christopher’s family believed he thought these four diamonds were symbolic of the traits needed to overcome cancer. His parents, Charles and Irma Millard, established a gift fund in 1972 in memory of Christopher. The gift fund was later named Four Diamonds after Christopher’s inspiring story.

Since 1972, Four Diamonds has helped more than 4,800 families by covering 100 percent of medical expenses related to cancer care for children treated at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. Four Diamonds also leads the discovery of better treatments and cures for all childhood cancers by funding more than 90 pediatric cancer research professionals. These researchers are driven by a deep desire to help all children, and their work has benefitted countless families around the globe.

Shortly after their diagnosis, each patient is assigned to a Four Diamonds social worker who introduces the family to the programs and services provided by Four Diamonds.

In 1977, Four Diamonds became the sole beneficiary of the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON™), the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Since then, THON has raised more than $254 million to conquer childhood cancer.

Inspired by THON, more than 200 schools host Four Diamonds Mini-THON®s each year, which have collectively raised more than $70 million since 1993.

Other sources of financial support include community events, corporate donors, foundations and empowered individuals committed to our mission. Of every $1 donated to Four Diamonds, 85 cents directly impact children fighting cancer today and helps improve the paths for kids who will face cancer in the future.

Four Diamonds is THON’s sole beneficiary. THON has a great impact on Four Diamonds’ mission to conquer childhood cancer. Their fundraising efforts directly impact the lifesaving care and research at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. THON also organizes an Adopt-A-Family program, and Four Diamonds children and their families are encouraged to participate. The Adopt-A-Family program connects Penn State Students with Four Diamonds families to provide support for the families and their loved ones. These organizations can include Greek organizations, club sports, special interest organizations and commonwealth campuses.

THON Weekend, which takes place each February, is a beacon of hope for children and families in the fight against childhood cancer. The entire Four Diamonds/THON community comes together to dance for a cure at the largest student-run philanthropy event in the world.

Mini-THON invites K-12 students to join the fight against childhood cancer. Since 1993, Mini-THONs have helped raise money for medical care and research while bringing hope to childhood cancer patients and their families.

Through this fundraising program, students collaborate to engage their school and local community in their philanthropy efforts. Mini-THON culminates in a multi-hour event that includes fun activities from games and contests to singing and dancing.

In addition to raising funds, students will learn valuable skills they can apply to their personal interactions and future professional lives, like problem-solving, teamwork, critical thinking and communication skills.

Four Diamonds ensures both our patients and their families are provided with comprehensive care through their entire cancer journey. We support a holistic approach to childhood cancer treatment, meaning we treat the disease while also caring for the well-being of both the child and their family.

Four Diamonds does this by funding the work of more than 35 specialty care providers at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital to exclusively serve the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs of our childhood cancer patients and their families. The entire care team provides for these unique needs, in addition to providing expert treatment for childhood cancer. The team includes the following roles:

• Art therapist
• Chaplain
• Child Life specialists
• Clinical nutritionist
• Genetic counselor
• Music therapists
• Neuropsychologist
• Nurse coordinators
• Psychologist
• Pharmacist
• Social workers
• Translation services

Four Diamonds is shaping the future of medicine. We support more than 90 pediatric cancer research professionals at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and Penn State College of Medicine. Our team is working to find more effective therapies to increase cure rates and minimize long-term side effects for survivors.

Four Diamonds’ research team collaborates with doctors and scientists around the world working to conquer childhood cancer. By sharing our knowledge and discoveries with our partner consortiums, Four Diamonds improves treatments for cancer patients at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, and also benefits children and their families nationally and globally. Our care providers and researchers are driven by a deep desire to help all children and will keep searching for better treatments and cures until every child can survive and thrive.