Each THON™ dancer has a unique story that inspires them to stand for 46 hours For the Kids®. In 2012, THON dancer Beth Carey danced representing Women’s Club Basketball (WCBB), the same organization who danced for her when she was battling Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma seven years earlier.
In April 2005, Beth was a high school freshman focused on academics and her basketball career. At 15 years old, Beth began experiencing left elbow pain which she brushed off as a simple basketball injury. With no other alarming symptoms, she visited the doctor. She received an X-Ray and a CT scan without contrast. The X-Ray came back normal, while the CT scan raised immediate concerns. The doctor ordered an immediate CT scan with contrast. Beth’s mom, a nurse practitioner, knew that was not a good sign. Beth, however, was just frustrated to be missing more school and basketball practice.
“I was kind of mad that I had to get pulled out of school and was missing practice.”
After her second CT scan, the doctors confirmed that she had some form of cancer in her left elbow, although they had not yet determined what type. Since the cancer was on the bone, Beth went to a local orthopedic doctor who directed Beth and her family to the choice of receiving treatment at Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center or Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which were both two hours away from home. While her mom attributes the choice to the easier drive, Beth believes other factors drew them to Hershey.
Beth was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in her left elbow, an abnormal place for this form of cancer. Typically, in the chest, underarm, or groin, non-Hodgkin Lymphoma develops in the lymphatic system. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma begins in the white blood cells called lymphocytes, which are a part of the body’s immune system.
At Hershey, Beth went through six months of high-intensity, short-course chemotherapy. Beth consistently spent one week inpatient, followed by two weeks at home. While the last two cycles of chemo allowed some chemotherapy to take place at home, she continued with one week in the hospital followed by one week at home. Beth spent the end of her freshman year in treatment being homeschooled. She returned to school as a sophomore with a wig, enjoying tricking the high school boys into believing it was her real hair.
“I did have a wig that I wore. I actually fooled a lot of the boys, like they thought it was my real hair which I was kind of impressed about, but the girls knew.”
One of Beth’s nurses, Carly, was a Penn State alumnus who introduced her to Four Diamonds, along with support from her social worker and oncologist. Being a basketball player herself, Beth was partnered with Women’s Club Basketball and attended her first THON Weekend in 2006, the last year it was hosted in Rec Hall.
Four Diamonds helped alleviate the financial stress on the Carey family, since Beth’s mom had to take time off to stay with Beth for her inpatient treatment. Four Diamonds not only helped Beth and her family financially, but they also provided emotional and physical support that allowed her nurses to provide more personal care.
Four Diamonds funded music therapy, Child Life care, social work, and the opportunity to connect with other teens in similar situations. Four Diamonds also helped Beth cope with the pain that she experienced between the second and third rounds of chemotherapy. One particularly painful day, the music therapist walked Beth through full body relaxation, making Beth feel like “a weight was lifted.”
Four Diamonds supported a well-rounded care team, leaving the nursing team with ample time and resources to help Beth in any way needed, especially spending time with her during her inpatient stays.
Beth continued her journey with THON when she attended Penn State as a student and participated in THON all four years, completing her full circle with THON as a dancer in 2012. She joined the same organization that danced for her, Women’s Club Basketball, where she served as a Family Relations Chair for three years and danced for them during her senior year.
“They danced for me and then I danced for them.”
She was also a Family Relations captain for her sophomore and junior years, helping families like her own navigate difficult times and advocate for what THON can do for them.
In all her years with THON, a highlight of her experience was receiving the scrapbook during mail call that the girls who danced for her through WCBB put together of their time supporting her. Through their delirious laughs and her dance partner getting lost, Beth looks back on her time with THON with love for the mission and the experiences it gave her.
Today, Beth regularly supports the Hope Gala in New York City, a year-round fundraising effort and annual gala supporting THON and Four Diamonds. Beth spoke about her experience in 2019 and continues to attend the event.
Being 15 at the time of treatment, Beth remembers a significant amount of her experience. Her strength and memories have guided her throughout her life, especially towards the career path she eventually pursued.
Since finishing treatment in August 2005, Beth has been in remission for 20 years and is a nurse practitioner in an urgent care. Her time as a patient created her holistic approach to healthcare, emphasizing the patient as a whole person rather than a diagnosis. Beth got married in 2022 and has continued supporting THON with him.
To ensure that THON is able to donate 96 cents of every dollar raised to Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, we heavily rely on donor support. These donations provide us the resources to create endless memories for our Four Diamonds families & foster a deep love & connection to our mission for our volunteers through Pre-THON Events, alternative fundraisers, & THON Weekend.
