Mini THON is a school-wide, school year – long fundraiser which supports the foundation called “The Four Diamonds Foundation,” which was created to help families that have kids battling pediatric cancer that are located in the Penn State Children’s Health Hospital. This year in particular was a record-breaking year – raising over 100,000 dollars, specifically 100,182.25. Which was a shocking amount following last year’s triumphant total as well of 98,188.24 dollars.
This aid provided by the Foundation can manifest in covering medical bills, traveling costs and hotels. Though not just costs pertaining to the treatments the child may need including meal vouchers for the family, lower emergency visit costs, and much more. The support carries until the child is 30 years old. Additionally, if the kid seemingly is cured of their cancer or if they were to unfortunately experience a remission in said cancer. The Foundation will immediately pick back up the support they provided to the family affected.
Wilson High School’s Mini THON is night packed with activities. Though first, it starts with community hours. This time consists of games from companies, a bounce house, laser tag by student government, escape rooms by the Escape Room club, and tons of concessions for the local residents to enjoy! Then, by 10:00 pm the community is asked to leave, which leaves the Dancers of the night from each grade. This commences the overnight portion which each hour is a different activity for everyone to be a part of. Such as dodgeball, a game of Sister – Sister, the rave, Zumba, and by the end of the night – the Luminary walk which is a time of remembrance for all the kids who have lost their lives to childhood cancer.
I have been involved in Mini THON since my freshman year, and for my senior year, I had the privilege of being an Operations captain for the club. During that time, you watch the Four Diamonds overview video and sure you understand why you are there – its slogan: For the Kids. Though you can’t necessarily wrap your head around what you are doing for those kids you see on the screen. Being a captain and overall gaining more insight into the world, I can say I understand a lot more why the Foundation is in place and why Thon and Mini THON exist. This money directly changes, impacts, and saves human lives. Not only with life-saving treatments but revolutionary cancer research.
Every Mini THON, our Family Relations captains invite a speaker at the last few hours in order for every dancer who made it through the night hear – firsthand where their dedication went to. What made this year’s speaker very special is that the speaker was a student, our age, in Wilson High School. Amalia Cannon presented one of the most impactful speeches I have ever heard. Her speech truly hit close to so many people’s hearts in that room, and I want to personally thank Amalia for being so vulnerable in front of a 100 some kids about a topic few can hear let alone speak firsthand about. Amalia gave a rundown of her diagnosis, life during and after hospitalization, and her life today. She personally thanks Four Diamonds for aiding her family in one of their darkest times and giving them support when it was needed most. In the words of Amalia, “You help kids who suffer, suffer less.” Such as, creating and paving the way to new treatments and hopefully – one day – a cure for pediatric cancer. If you are not a senior this year and want to get involved in the community in some way (not just the community however; but kids all over the country) – I highly suggest Mini THON. 
