The THON™ Family Carnival took place on December 8, 2025, and was a magical day for Four Diamonds families, THON volunteers, and organization members to come together for a few hours of love and laughter.
The Family Carnival serves as a unique opportunity for THON captains and committee members to meet and interact with families, something that volunteers look forward to throughout the year.
One such family is the William Sweger family, who some volunteers have dubbed “THON royalty” thanks to their active involvement in the organization.
Throughout the day, the family made a genuine effort to talk with THON volunteers. They were excited to hear about each person’s role, the work they do, and the story of how they got there. The family also shared their own story with volunteers, creating deep connections within the community.
Coming from an extremely tight-knit family, the love that the Sweger-Nesbit’s have for THON is palpable. William passed away just four days before his 13th birthday in 2017 after battling a rare form of leukemia. Since then, his parents Amy and Derek have honored his life by sharing William’s story with THON volunteers to help them understand the true impact of their work.
During the Family Carnival, the family had an active day socializing and going from booth to booth, playing games and doing crafts that organizations set up. They enjoyed musical and dance performances, cheered on the THON Pep Rally, and listened to the family speakers. Perhaps most impactful, though, is how intentional the family was in each of their interactions with each person they encountered. They took the time to ask volunteers questions, learn about their specific role, and hear their personal stories. The Sweger-Nesbit’s shared their own experiences, helping to emphasize to volunteers the tremendous impact that their work has on Four Diamonds families.
The William Sweger family makes it a priority to show their appreciation for THON volunteers who might not fully recognize how their role positively affects families and children facing childhood cancer. They want every single volunteer, regardless of their title, to understand how grateful the THON community is for their hard work.
For volunteers, the opportunity to connect with a family that plays such an integral role in the organization is truly special. At the Family Carnival, they got to see their impact firsthand by directly interacting with dozens of families like the Sweger-Nesbit’s, which drove home the heart of THON’s mission for everyone involved.
The THON community is grateful for the William Sweger family for their endless support and is honored to be a place where William’s spirit continues to live on.
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.
