Explore THON's family programming initiatives, offering support, resources, and community for families affected by childhood cancer. Learn more!

Programs That Foster Community, Mentorship, and Lasting Relationships

Connecting Families Through THON

At THON, we believe in the power of community and the strength that comes from connecting families. Our programs—Families Helping Families, Captain-in-Training, TEENetwork, The Warm Welcome Program, and the Pen Pal Program—are designed to build meaningful relationships between veteran families and new members. By offering mentorship, engagement opportunities, and personalized connections, we aim to create an inclusive environment where every family can experience the love, magic, and unity that THON embodies. Join us in fostering connections that empower and uplift our community!

Families Helping Families

Families Helping Families Program is dedicated to facilitating relationships between first and second-year families with veteran families. Veteran families can serve as mentors to newer members of the THON community, and new families can form new and lasting relationships with other families—all with…

Captain-in-Training

The Captain-in-Training Program connects children and teenagers with THON captains to provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what captains do during Family Carnival and THON Weekend! During the program, children and teens spend time with THON Volunteers of different committees, playing games, and experiencing…

TEENetwork

The THON Engagement & Empowerment Network is a year-long program specifically constructed to cater to THON’s teenagers, aged 13-19. The TEENetwork encompasses multiple events and programs that are meant to enhance our teens’ THON experiences, as well as foster a sense of community, and encourage leadership…

The Warm Welcome Program

The Warm Welcome Program fosters a stronger connection between new families and THON committee members. This program give committees the name and interests of a new family, and has each committee send that family a unique and personal welcome to the THON community in order to show families how much we…

The Pen Pal Program

The Penn Pal Program pairs Four Diamonds children and siblings with THON Committees! Children will have the opportunity to receive letters, emails, and phone calls from their committee, as well as have the opportunity to interact with their paired committee at various THON related events!

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Ready to Make a Difference?

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.

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Family Programming