This Friday, April 19th, Hempfield High School is hosting its yearly Mini-Thon, a lively event that helps to support the Four Diamonds Fund, which helps fight childhood cancer by raising money for care and medical research. The event is from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm and students can register at the door.

The annual event is adapted from the annual Four Diamonds’s Penn State Dance Marathon (THON)  — a student-run event that raises money for children with childhood cancer and medical research. 

This year’s theme, generated by the Minithon Leadership Committee, is “Saddle Up: This is Cancer’s Last Rodeo.” The committee has been hard at work planning activities that will bring the Wild West to Hempfield, including an inflatable mechanical bull, minute-to-win-it games, line dancing, glow-in-the-dark volleyball and musical chairs, dodgeball, and lots of other activities.

Senior Leah Edgar, the head of the Minithon Leadership Committee, emphasized that incorporating the community and Hempfield families has been a big goal this year,  so, at the beginning of this Friday’s event, there will be an hour for elementary school students to come and visit what a MiniTHON looks like, along with Kona Ice as a treat!

A staple every year is the Luminary Walk. Committee members line the hallways with Luminaries, bags which are purchased by the Hempfield community; on each bag is a different person who battled or is currently battling cancer.

“I feel the most impactful is our Luminary walk. I think visually seeing this and reading each provides a sense of why we do what we do for our guests and reminds our committee as well,” explained Edgar.

 The goal of The Four Diamonds organization is to raise money for families, improve treatment, and fund research to find a cure. The organization makes it so families do not have to pay a single medical bill for the entirety of their child’s treatment. It also provides support and care, ultimately making a huge difference in the lives of Four Diamond Families. 

“Working alongside Penn State’s THON we all share a common goal every year; to find a cure and end childhood cancer,” emphasized Edgar. By fundraising throughout the year, every donation goes to the Four Diamonds organization, which covers medical expenses for battling families, helping to provide for the continuous development of therapies for children, and allowing kids to be kids again. Above all else, much of the money goes to fund research for uncovering a cure for pediatric cancer. 

“Hosting Main Event allows for a celebration of our hard work but also knowing what good we’ve done by helping so many,” added Edgar. 

Hempfield’s Mini-Thon will be filled with many exciting experiences and entertainment to enjoy throughout the night. It is a great opportunity to have fun with friends, be involved, and support a good cause. 

“Leading this club and meeting families who have had their lives turned upside down has not only been inspiring but rewarding. Being a part of MiniTHON at Hempfield provides a sense of purpose. Taking on the Leadership role has granted me the platform to make many connections and spread the mission of Four Diamonds,” concluded Edgar. 

Ultimately, Mini-Thon encourages students to donate, support, and spread awareness about the Four Diamonds Organization and its impact. So, attend Hempfield’s Mini-Thon for the kids!