What is Mini-THON?

Camp Hill’s Mini-THON® is an independent fundraising and awareness campaign, modeled after Penn State’s THON®, benefiting Four Diamonds at Penn State Children’s Hospital. Four Diamonds is an organization devoted to conquering childhood cancer through comprehensive support, superior care, and innovative research. Camp Hill's Mini -THON® usually consists of 12 consecutive hours during which students do not sit or kneel; they stand, dance, and participate in numerous competitions and activities organized for them throughout the night.

The motto of Mini-THON® is "FTK", or "For The Kids", meaning that everything we do, from asking for donations and sponsorships to enjoying the event itself, is all to help kids with cancer. In addition to taking time throughout our event to focus specifically on the cause, we dedicate part of Mini-THON® to listening to the stories of families and kids who have been helped by Four Diamonds and other cancer research facilities. The children’s presence at our Mini -THON® helps dancers understand the importance of our event.

Four Diamonds was founded in 1972 by Charles and Irma Millard in honor of their son, Christopher, who lost his battle with cancer at the age of fourteen. The Millards wanted to establish a program that would provide financial assistance for families whose children were being treated for cancer at Penn State Children’s Hospital. The proceeds from Penn State’s THON® and Mini-THON®s have helped lessen both the financial and emotional burdens of over 3,700 families struggling with the battle against pediatric cancer. Since they began, Mini-THONs® have given over $43 million to fund groundbreaking cancer research.