Students conduct coin drop for Children’s Hospital

WARWICK — Dr. Alex Joanow and his wife, Marie, recently hosted 30 Penn State University students for a weekend at their home in Warwick.

“My well gave out,” laughed Joanow.

The students, all members of the Penn State Dance marathon, THON, the largest student run philanthropy in the world, had received permission to conduct a coin drop in Warwick on Saturday, Nov. 9.

They spread out throughout the Village to raise funds for pediatric cancer and “THON” and The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital of the Hershey Medical Center.

“This is an amazing student organization that has contributed to The Hershey Medical Center since 1977,” said Joanow, whose son Mark is a junior at Penn State and a member of THON.

“We are thankful that Warwick has welcomed the students in the past and we are proud that our son was involved in the committee that we hosted," Joanow said. "The kids did an amazing job and had nothing but great things to say about the people of Warwick.”

Four Diamonds Fund
The mission of the organization is to conquer pediatric cancer by providing emotional and financial support to the children, families, researchers and staff of The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.

The effort engages more than 15,000 students who work tirelessly throughout the year only to culminate in a 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon known as THON Weekend.

In 2103, THON raised a record $12.37 million and was able to donate 96 percent of funds raised directly to The Four Diamonds Foundation. And just in the last three years, the students raised more than $31 million for The Four Diamond Fund, surpassing the $100 million dollar mark in total funds raised to support pediatric cancer research.

Where insurance leaves off
The fund picks up where insurance leaves off, enabling families to solely focus on the care of their child. All expenses for the families are covered to ensure that counselors, social workers, music therapists, and other specialists are available to provide comprehensive care in a family focused atmosphere.

In addition to financial support, the Penn State University students are involved in “adopting” and supporting the children and families throughout the year. Children who are medically able, are invited to the campus for THON Weekend and participate in a multitude of events that allow them to be “kids."

Essential information
To find out more, visit www.thon.org.