Dear Brothers,

On average, 46 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer each day. In fact, there are almost 40,000 children undergoing treatment for this disease at any given time. Unfortunately, due to lack of funding for research programs, effective treatments for many types of cancers remain elusive.

Each year, thousands of Penn State students lead a fundraising and awareness campaign in hopes of changing this outcome for these children and their families. These student-led efforts culminate in February with a 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon where volunteers show their support by taking a stand against cancer. Our fraternity, Theta Chi, is one of the groups that participate in THON by fundraising and creating supportive relationships with families affected by cancer each year.

L to R: Danny LIm, John Boston, AJ Bobby, Sam Shively and Niral Pokal - AJ on his last day of chemotherapy at the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital- Nov. 19, 2013

Since 1977, THON has raised more than $101 million for its sole beneficiary, the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. Last year alone, THON raised a record-breaking $12.4 million for the fight! Today, a donation to THON means that nearly 96 cents of every dollar is directly battling pediatric cancer and investing in the health of our future. These donations enable the Four Diamonds Fund to provide outstanding care and comprehensive support to children undergoing treatment. Additionally, Theta Chi has been paired with a wonderful family, the Bobby’s, for the past three years. Their son, AJ, was diagnosed with cancer, but through THON’s support AJ is on schedule to be cancer free by the end of the year!

Through Theta Chi, we have become incredibly passionate about this fight and our involvement in THON. This year, we hope to beat our previous year’s total and raise as much money as possible in pursuit of a cure. However, we need your help to make this possible for THON 2014. We would greatly appreciate it if you would join the fight against pediatric cancer today by making a gift to THON in the name of Theta Chi. You can donate online at THON.org. Please be sure to add our organization name and org. #102 to the online form. We cannot thank you enough for your support of my fight against childhood cancer!

Together, we will continue to make a difference in the life of a child!

For The Kids,

P.S. You may be able to double your impact through the support of your employer! Find out if your company will match your gift at www.matching.psu.edu. If so, complete your company’s matching form and include it with your donation!

Help Support THON 2014 and Theta Chi