Our THON Chairs
Delta Sigma Pi at Penn State is involved in the largest student-run philanthropy in the world - THON. THON is short for the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance MaraTHON, which is a year long fundraising effort to spread awareness of pediatric cancer and collect funds to be donated to the Four Diamonds at the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. The Four Diamonds, who provide emotional and financial support to all families who are being treated there, was started by Charles and Irma Millard in honor of their son Chris who passed away from pediatric cancer. Chris wrote a short story about a knight who had to collect Four Diamonds - courage, honesty, wisdom, and strength - to get away from an evil sorcerer, which is where the name of the foundation comes from. THON then accumulates in late February as a no-sitting, no-sleeping 46 hour dance marathon For The Kids! Delta Sigma Pi participates in THON every year, last year in 2019, raising more than $54,000 and continuing to stand in the top 10 general organizations. We also have two "adopted" families- The Bushes and The Camps, and The Wrights, who we love and support more than anything! The concept of THON and the Four Diamonds is forever embedded in our fraternity and we will continue to support all families who fall victim to this disease. We will stand against cancer For The Kids every day so that one day we can dance in celebration! For The Cure!