During Dallastown’s 11th annual Mini-THON, 487 students stood for 12 hours from 7 pm to 7 am to blast pediatric cancer out of this world.
On the night of Feb. 28, students ran and coordinated all of the activities during Mini-THON, listening to stories from Four Diamonds families and raising money to help them through the recovery.
Four Diamonds is an organization that raises money for childhood cancer. They are able to help with bills, provide therapy, and lessen a lot of stress for the families.
Many advisors and committee heads hold this cause near and dear to their hearts, along with head advisor Shannon Werner who remarked that she has been the overall advisor of Mini-THON for 11 years.
“I told administration right away I want to be a part of this. I was a student at PSU and I was a part of the sports pep rally and I saw what it was like then. It’s just so powerful of a movement. My Dad passed away last April and my mother in law passed away in September and to be able to help these kids is just an amazing feeling,” Werner stated.
Throughout the night, students participated in various activities such as sports tournaments, Just Dance, swimming, escape rooms, crafts, bounce houses, the puppy room, and much more.
This year, students were offered a new activity during Mini-THON for three baking sessions where they were able to make chocolate chip cookies with their friends.
Another new room was the Luminary Room. This room contained candles honoring the Four Diamonds children diagnosed with cancer.
The Mini-THON overall student heads were seniors Olivia Leiphart and Lindsay Lehman, who have actively participated in Mini-THON since 2022.
“Mini-THON has completely taken over my life and changed it for the better. I’ve gotten to form connections with our families and see the kids in all stages of treatment and recovery,” Lehman states.
Throughout the night, there were nine Four Diamond families that participated in Mini-THON. Some families stayed the entire night, expressing their gratitude for everything the students are able to do for them.
At the end of the event, during hour 12, the total amount the students had raised for Four Diamonds was revealed. Dallastown raised $138,027.93, crushing this year’s goal of $135,000.
But according to Werner, the total is less important than the spreading awareness.
“Any year we make money, the event goes well. I don’t care if we make $100 at the end of the night, but to see us beat our goal was amazing,” Werner said.
Immediately after the event, the Mini-THON committees begin to plan and raise money for the next one in 2026.
According to Lehman, “It took us the entire year to prepare for Mini-THON. As soon as the past event ends, the preparation for the next one starts.”
All of the money raised throughout the year helps to support the Four Diamonds families and funds research for pediatric cancer.
