On March 18, 1993, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. I was three- and one-half years old. My sister Logan was sixteen months, and my mother had just discovered she was pregnant with my brother Tanner. My family was living in Williamsburg, VA, and I immediately began treatment at the Medical Center of Virginia in Richmond. After two- and one-half years of chemotherapy and 12 days of cranial spinal radiation, I finished my regimen in October 1995. My family soon moved to Raleigh, NC, and my follow-up care was at Duke Children’s Hospital. 
In August 1998, my family relocated to Hummelstown, PA, where we still reside. After moving to Pennsylvania, I was referred to pediatric oncologist Dr. John Neely at Penn State Hershey Medical Center for follow-up care. Later, I became a patient of Dr. Robert Greiner and Dr. Smita Dandekar who are pediatric hematology and oncology specialists. The latter works with young adult cancer survivors at Hershey Medical Center. She helped transition me to my current primary care physician Dr. Stephen Henderson.
I was involved with Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital while I was a patient of Dr. Greiner, but I really did not know much about THON. One weekend while I was visiting Penn State at one of my brother’s swim meets, I read a newspaper article about THON. That article sparked my interest in the organization, and I knew I had to get involved.
In 2013, I immediately applied to be a part of a THON student organization at PSU. The Filipino Association was the first group that welcomed me into the THON community. Its members visited and spent time with me and my own family. After three years of being involved with them, I became a part of the Family Relations Committee in 2016. This weekend will be my 13th year at THON, and I am a member for life!
Today, I am a petite and healthy 35-year-old woman who is proud to say I am soon to be 32 years in remission! I currently work full-time for my dad’s custom door building business. I would like to have a job that allows me to work with children with cancer and their families. I enjoy being an active member and youth leader at my church; attending and participating in THON; dancing at Hershey School of Dance and Arts; and teaching pop up Zumba classes. Recently, I became a Zumba instructor, and I am working towards teaching children on and off cancer treatment. I also enjoy giving back to the Four Diamonds fund by helping fundraise for different events as well as holding my own fundraisers. I am in contact with friends whom I have met at Camp-Make-A-Dream in Gold Creek, Montana. Last summer I attended and was a counselor at Camp Special Love in Front Royal, VA. This camp is for children and teenagers who are still on or off treatment. Additionally, I enjoy spending time with my family, pets, Penn State friends, my paired Family Relations Committee, and those connected with The Hope Express.
Sometimes it seems like cancer only takes away from a person, but in my case, cancer also granted me wisdom. This Four Diamonds attribute was a part of my cancer experience. Knowledge about my disease came from all the doctors and support staff I encountered. My social worker Greg Baiocchi at Hershey Children’s Hospital helped me learn about the emotional and financial support available for cancer patients. Aside from the medical staff I have had, I gained helpful information about Mini-THON at Hershey High School in 2008. Being involved in Mini-THON gave me all the tools I needed to help start Lebanon Valley College’s first Mini-THON in 2011. At all THON events, I have met Four Diamonds children, families, and students who became lifelong friends. I gained love, support, and understanding through my relationships with Nick Pantalone, Dominique Bigler, William Sweger, Devin Pulaski, and Aubrey Evens.
I am grateful for all the wisdom I have gained from the THON community and Four Diamonds families. I recognize the importance of sharing this wisdom with all families who are struggling with childhood cancer. I do my best to offer advice, support, and comfort when they want to talk to a survivor who has experienced similar difficulties. I genuinely enjoy helping new families prepare for THON weekend’s activities so they can feel unconditional support from the PSU THON Community. Most importantly, I want them to feel welcome to one of the largest philanthropic and most compassionate families at PSU. I wish I never had to experience cancer, but wisdom through hardship has been a gift I will always cherish!
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.
