Penn State's Dance Marathon, affectionately known as THON, is a yearlong campaign to raise awareness and fundraise for the fight against pediatric cancer. With over 16,000 volunteers, it is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. The year culminates in a 46 hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon each February. HEAL (Help Every Angel Live) is a special interest organization whose sole purpose is to fundraise for and support families undergoing treatment for pediatric cancer at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

Every year, HEAL joins the fight to end pediatric cancer along with thousands of other Penn State students and supporters. We THON for our two amazing Four Diamonds families, the Tuckeys and the Nolts. Bekah Tuckey is a spunky 11-year-old who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was 5 and relapsed two years ago after being off treatment for only one year. In November, she finished treatment again and we are so proud of the fighter she is. She also has twin brothers, Josh and Eli and incredible parents, Kate and Nat, who round out one branch of our HEAL family. Our other family, the Nolts, surround Karlie, 17, who is cancer free after a diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma at age 8. She also has a sister Jenna, who is 14, and two supportive parents, Tina and Jake.

Every three minutes, a child is diagnosed with cancer. However, pediatric cancers only receive 4% of U.S. federal funding for research. This is why HEAL is asking for your help. On this #HEALDayOfGiving, we hope that you can consider making a donation which goes to the Four Diamonds at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, and is used to support Four Diamonds families as well as towards research in finding new treatments and, eventually, a cure.

If you would like to make a donation, please click here. We thank you for your support and generosity, FTK!