Location: Philadelphia, PA
Connection to Four Diamonds: My sister Lauren was diagnosed in 1994 with Leukemia, ALL. We were almost immediately asked to be a Four Diamonds Family and then in 1995, we attended our first THON. It’s crazy to think that it was in the White Building back then!
Years of Involvement: 1994-Present. I was a student at Penn State and a THON volunteer from 2007-2011. This THON will be my 22nd year and you know, I still get the same amazing feeling every time.
How are/were you involved with Four Diamonds and THON?
Unfortunately, for most of our THON involvement we were a bereaved family and attended THON almost every year. Our first THON was in 1995 in the White Building and the theme was “Giving Dreams a Chance”. My family attended every single THON event we were able to get to. THON is what we used for healing our pain and for that we are so thankful we had it.
I did, however, miss four years of THON while I was serving in the U.S. Marines, but my first year back home was my freshman year at Penn State. I was a Family Relations Chair and Chair of Penn State Schuylkill where I danced my freshman year and spoke during family hour. It was quite the year! My senior year I was a Merchandise Captain, which was such an amazing experience and a side of THON I was never able to see.
Why is the partnership between Four Diamonds and THON important?
I am not sure what my family would have done without THON or Four Diamonds. There is not more of a perfect match anywhere. It is truly amazing when a family is told they do not have to worry about medical bills. Then they get to experience THON and all the amazing people involved. THON and the Four Diamonds have made my family’s journey so special and we are forever grateful for that.
What is your dream for Four Diamonds and THON over the next 40 years?
I currently work for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and I think about the future of cancer a lot. I can say that over the next 40 years I hope nothing more than to find a cure for cancer. I work every single day to fight this disease and I want to see Four Diamonds and THON do the same, together as one. I think that the relationship between Four Diamonds and THON can and will hopefully only grow stronger.
