Ski Club Benefitting THON
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THON is the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Each year, thousands of Penn State students work together to raise money for THON, which benefits the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. THON also generates awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. The Four Diamonds Fund covers all of the costs of treatment for the Four Diamonds Families that insurance does not cover, and also funds pediatric cancer research. The Ski Club is part of this critical mission. We work throughout the year to raise as much money as possible for THON. We have a variety of fundraisers throughout the year including cornhole tournaments, restaurant fundraisers, and more. We also fundraise by sending letters out to our friends and families for donations. We have grown in the past few years raising more money while recently “adopting” a Four Diamonds Family. Ski Club has been consistently growing every year and our fundraising totals have been increasing.
The yearlong effort to raise money and support for THON culminates during THON weekend, which is the 46-hour, no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon. We spend our time in the Bryce Jordan Center during that weekend, showing our support for all the dancers and Four Diamonds Families that are present. If you would like to join us or are interested in learning more about what the Ski Club does for THON please contact our THON Chair, Trina Firth. Also, please follow our organization's Instagram, @skiclubbenefittingthon. If you are unable to donate your time but would like to donate to THON through the PSU Ski Club, be sure to select Ski Club as the organization you would like to credit!
The yearlong effort to raise money and support for THON culminates during THON weekend, which is the 46-hour, no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon. We spend our time in the Bryce Jordan Center during that weekend, showing our support for all the dancers and Four Diamonds Families that are present. If you would like to join us or are interested in learning more about what the Ski Club does for THON please contact our THON Chair, Trina Firth. Also, please follow our organization's Instagram, @skiclubbenefittingthon. If you are unable to donate your time but would like to donate to THON through the PSU Ski Club, be sure to select Ski Club as the organization you would like to credit!
Members of the club with our THON family
Hunter's Story
Hunter was diagnosed with AML Leukemia on August 22, 2012 - just before his thirteenth birthday. Within just a few hours of receiving the news we were on our way to Penn State Children's Hospital. Hunter underwent 3 rounds of chemotherapy (he was in the hospital about a month each round and then home for a few days then back in for another month). After the first 2 rounds of chemo, the doctors still found cancer cells.
At that point, the doctors told us Hunter was going to need a bone marrow transplant. They tested Hunter's brother, Cody to see if he would be a match for Hunter. We were thrilled to get the news Cody was a match. However, just a month before Hunter was diagnosed with leukemia, Cody was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and we were told Cody was not able to be the donor. We were all devastated, but felt blessed when the doctors were able to find an unrelated donor that was a 10 out of 10 match, which is the best you can have besides a sibling.
After his third round of chemo, we finally were told that they didn't detect any cancer cells, and Hunter was in remission. We were able to enjoy having Hunter home with us for several weeks. Then, on January 23, 2013 Hunter went back into the hospital to be prepped for his bone marrow transplant. He under went his fourth round of chemo, which was by far was the hardest for him to take. Hunter was in the hospital for about 6 weeks. Once he was released from the hospital, we stayed in an apartment in Hershey that kept him within minutes from the hospital. Hunter had to stay isolated for the first 100 days after his transplant. By mid-May, we were able to bring Hunter home to stay. Hunter has follow up visits once a month and remains in remission at this time.
Hunter was diagnosed with AML Leukemia on August 22, 2012 - just before his thirteenth birthday. Within just a few hours of receiving the news we were on our way to Penn State Children's Hospital. Hunter underwent 3 rounds of chemotherapy (he was in the hospital about a month each round and then home for a few days then back in for another month). After the first 2 rounds of chemo, the doctors still found cancer cells.
At that point, the doctors told us Hunter was going to need a bone marrow transplant. They tested Hunter's brother, Cody to see if he would be a match for Hunter. We were thrilled to get the news Cody was a match. However, just a month before Hunter was diagnosed with leukemia, Cody was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and we were told Cody was not able to be the donor. We were all devastated, but felt blessed when the doctors were able to find an unrelated donor that was a 10 out of 10 match, which is the best you can have besides a sibling.
After his third round of chemo, we finally were told that they didn't detect any cancer cells, and Hunter was in remission. We were able to enjoy having Hunter home with us for several weeks. Then, on January 23, 2013 Hunter went back into the hospital to be prepped for his bone marrow transplant. He under went his fourth round of chemo, which was by far was the hardest for him to take. Hunter was in the hospital for about 6 weeks. Once he was released from the hospital, we stayed in an apartment in Hershey that kept him within minutes from the hospital. Hunter had to stay isolated for the first 100 days after his transplant. By mid-May, we were able to bring Hunter home to stay. Hunter has follow up visits once a month and remains in remission at this time.
2023-2024 Wrap-UpThis last THON season was record breaking for ski club! We were able to have three dancers for the first time in years! These dancers partook in a 46 hour no sit dance marathon! We were also extremely lucky to see Hunter and his family both on the floor and up in the stands this past year.
In addition to breaking the record for most dancers we also broke our record for highest total raised. With a total of $22,985.79 going to THON. This is our most successful year ever and we are super excited to see what next year holds. Thank you to everyone who has helped us through our this journey, supporting the Liesey’s and we look forward to continuing to break records. As we continue to grow we can’t wait to meet new members, come up with new exciting events, and of course raise more money! |
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