What is THON? - The Four Diamonds Fund

About the Four Diamonds Fund | How the Fund Helps Children and Their Families
Chris' Story | The Four Diamonds Fund Website

In 1977, THON partnered with The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children’s Hospital, and designated The Fund as the sole beneficiary of THON’s fundraising efforts. THON still proudly supports The Four Diamonds Fund’s efforts to conquer childhood cancer and to date, has contributed more than $52 million to The Fund.

The Four Diamonds Fund was established by Charles and Irma Millard, after the death of their son, Christopher, who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 11. The Fund is named after a story that Chris wrote shortly before he lost his battle with cancer at the age of 14. In Chris’ story, a knight must find the four diamonds of Courage, Wisdom, Honesty and Strength in order to be released from captivity by an evil sorceress. The four diamonds are symbolic of the traits Chris believed were necessary to overcome cancer.

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.