When Elizabethtown Area High School students hosted their 13th annual Mini-THON in April, they overcame a series of challenges to pull off a successful event. The original March date was changed to April 22. The original location inside the school was moved to the football stadium. The event was scaled back from its typical 12-hour dance marathon format to a seven-hour event. And the participation of students dwindled a bit, said Ashley Geesey, executive chair of the event.
"We didn't get as big a turnout of participation as we might have hoped, but the small group of people who were there had so much spirit, so much fire, and everything turned out really great," said Ashley, a senior. "I was so glad to be a part of it this year."
In total, the students raised more than $60,000 for Four Diamonds to support pediatric cancer research and help families of children with cancer take care of medical costs. Thanks to events like Mini-THON, Four Diamonds-sponsored families never see a cancer-related medical bill during treatment through Penn State Health Children's Hospital in Hershey.
The theme for Mini-THON was Grooving for a Cure, and participants were encouraged to dress in disco attire. The event included community hours, where the public was invited for games, activities, dancing and food trucks. At 8 p.m., the Lights of Hope luminaria ceremony was held, featuring candlelit paper lanterns. "The ceremony honored the families in our community that have been affected by cancer, and not just kids, but anyone who has passed away from cancer, is currently battling cancer or has conquered cancer," said Emma Keener, a sophomore who was the event co-chair along with senior Madison Conway.
Emma understands firsthand what it's like for families affected by cancer. Her younger sister is a cancer survivor, and Emma has participated in the THON event held annually at Penn State University. "Cancer is an awful journey, but you make so many connections through it, and that's one of the good things to come out of it," Emma said of the time she spent with others at THON, adding that her own family is a Four Diamonds family.
Adviser Ken Boland noted that Mini-THON was an opportunity to raise awareness of how cancer affects the Elizabethtown community. "The likelihood is great that you'll know somebody who will be impacted by pediatric cancer and need the services of Four Diamonds," he said. "My niece was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and I know without Four Diamonds, she wouldn't have the positive results she had. I'm proud of these incredible students who wanted to serve this cause through Mini-THON."
Ashley, who is headed to Penn State this fall, plans to participate in THON there and said her family has also been touched by cancer. "I'm so ready for a cure for cancer," she stated, noting that she lost an uncle to the disease. "Knowing we're comforting these families going through this horrible hard time, that's why I THON. I'm so proud of the success of our event."
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