Atlas & THON FAQs
What is THON?
THON, or the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, raises funds and awareness for the Four Diamonds Fund to help combat pediatric cancer. It is a year-long effort that culminates with a 46-hour no sitting or sleeping dance marathon each February. THON is recognized as the largest student-run philanthropy in the world and has raised over 100 million dollars for the fight against pediatric cancer. For more questions about THON, visit thon.org.
What is the Four Diamonds?
The Four Diamonds Fund was started in 1972 by the Millard family shortly after their son, Christopher, lost his battle to pediatric cancer. Any family with a child being treated for pediatric cancer at the Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital is automatically eligible to benefit from the Four Diamonds. All money raised supports the medical staff that cares for the children, pediatric cancer research, and covers all expenses that insurance does not cover. No family will never see a bill.
What is Atlas?
Atlas is one of the many organizations that helps to raise funds and awareness for THON. As a Special Interest Organization, all of our efforts go towards raising money for THON. We were started by a small group of friends based out of the Schreyer Honors College in 2005, and since then have become one of the highest-earning fundraising organization for THON. Atlas devotes most of its attention to THON but members also participate in other university-related activities. Any Penn State student is eligible to become an Atlas member!
How does Atlas raise money for THON?
Atlas raises money for THON through a diverse range of fundraising methods. These methods include alternative fundraisers such as bake sales, date auctions, friendly competitions amongst the club, restaurant fundraisers, etc. It also reaches the span of personal donations from mailer solicitations or online fundraising. Corporate or small business donations also contribute to Atlas’ fight against pediatric cancer, one dollar at a time.
How do I join Atlas?
Atlas is a unique way to be involved with THON. There is no official membership or dues, but Atlas thrives on the fact that it has so many dedicated members who want to do as much as possible to be involved in THON and the fight against pediatric cancer. If you are interested in joining Atlas’ email list, please contact contact our president, Rachel Newnam at ren5102@psu.edu
How can I donate to THON?
There are many ways to donate to THON, the most efficient way is to make a contribution online at any time. You can donate by clicking Atlas’ Donor Drive link here. For more information, select the “Information” tab above and drop down to the “Donation Information” section of our website.
Why is the fuzzy pink hat a significant part of Atlas?
When our THON child Victoria Smith was undergoing treatment for A.L.L., she was unable to attend her first THON. As her family streamed the event on their computer from the medical center, they found it rather difficult to pick out which students were representing Atlas. Victoria at the time had a blue fuzzy hat that she liked to wear on her head as she was going through her chemotherapy treatment. She liked the fuzzy feeling that the hat provided as she lost her hair from consecutive chemotherapy rounds. Stephanie, Victoria’s mother, suggested that Atlas order the hats in Victoria’s favorite color, which is pink, so that members could stand out in the crowd. The rest, of course, is history. Since then, the pink fuzzy hats have become a symbol of our dedication to THON and our Four Diamonds families.
Who are Atlas’ THON families?
Atlas is officially paired with six Four Diamonds Families and has a close relationship with a legacy family: The Smiths, The Gerenas, The Nortons, The Garcia-Ramos’ , the Shcusters and the Brobsons respectively. This sponsorship is a unique of THON since the program allows for organizations to get to know the families they are supporting on a personal level and build long lasting relationships. For more information see the “Our Families” tab under “Who We Are'“.