2025 THON™ Football Recap 

On September 6^th, Penn State hosted its annual THON™ football game against Florida International University (FIU). The THON football game honors Four Diamonds families and shares the stories of children and families impacted by childhood cancer.  

Each year, over 100,000 people fill Beaver Stadium to cheer on Penn State football and show their support for The Kids®. At halftime, the Four Diamonds families take the field to hold signs that spell out “Go State Beat Cancer”, spreading THON’s mission and making the day special for those impacted by childhood cancer. 

This year, nine-year-old Harrison Fischman held the role of the “Kickoff Kid” at Penn State’s THON Football game against Florida International University.  

When he was 16 months old, Harrison was diagnosed with a Stage-4 Wilms tumor with metastasis to the lungs. With the help of the doctors at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey and the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Harrison was treated and underwent seven weeks of chemotherapy. 

Harrison and his family had to make sacrifices and faced many challenges during his treatment, including liver failure, kidney failure, aspergillus, developmental delays, and multiple surgeries. However, Four Diamonds helped cover Harrison’s mom, Helen’s, gas, toll fees, her stay at the Ronald McDonald House, daily meal vouchers, insurance coverage, and life flight. 

Today, Harrison is 9 years old and has been cancer-free for seven years! Although he is still facing long-term effects associated with his treatment, Harrison and his family enjoy throwing the ball around and relaxing with his paired organizations, Alpha Epsilon Pi and Alpha Phi.