Emily Whitehead was diagnosed with acute leukemia when she was 5 years old. She went through what felt like endless treatments until her parents, Tom and Kari, brought her to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for a t-cell experimental treatment.

 

After a successful clinical trial, Emily became the first person in the world to have her immune system trained to fight cancer. She has been cancer-free ever since!

 

Emily is now in high school, doing all of her classes online from home in Philipsburg, PA. When she is not focused on her online classes, she is painting and drawing, or listening to music. Her favorite artists are SZA and Frank Ocean. 

 

Emily also loves to travel. The Whiteheads have traveled all over the world to talk about their story. Emily’s top three places she has visited were Switzerland, Germany, and France while Tom’s were Sweden and Norway. So, you can imagine, the Whiteheads are looking forward to traveling again once this pandemic is over.

 

The Whiteheads have turned their story into a book that digs deep into every struggle they had to endure but also the little joys that came out of it all. It is called “Praying for Emily” and it is available on all major platforms like Amazon, Google Books, and Barnes & Noble.

 

Emily’s first THON was in 2011 and the Whiteheads have been paired with PRSSA for 10 years now. Her favorite part of THON every year is seeing the new line dance. Although we can’t all see it in person this year, the Whiteheads will certainly be watching! 

Declan was diagnosed with synovial cell sarcoma, a super rare cancer, at age 2, and then again at age 4. He had 2 major surgeries on his right hip area each time, totaling 4 surgeries. He is lucky enough to not even limp, and he is now 4 years cancer free!

The Homan’s favorite THON memory is everything from the first THON they attended. Declan had just had his last surgery and they had no idea what to expect. They were overwhelmed by all of the support and fun for the kids and had a great and memorable weekend!

The Homan’s are also big Penn State fans! They love attending basketball games and can't wait to get back in the BJC! They also love spending time together outside, and going on vacations.

The Homan’s love the support of the THON community and are grateful for all of the help their family has received! 

Nick's Family: Cara & Ashley

Hometown: Hershey, PA

First THON: 1992

Nick was diagnosed with ALL in July of 1991. He beat cancer but was left with the late effects that come from radiation and chemotherapy on a young body. In 2004 he succumbed to Bipolar disease and took his own life. Nick's little sister, Ashley went on to attend Penn State and gave back to THON as an FR/Comm Captain and Dancer. She danced for Phi Gamma Nu, our Adopt a Family organization since 1993. THON 2021 is our 29th and we are so thankful for every student, family, and supporter we have met along the way. FTK!

Family's favorite THON memory:
 In the early '90s when THON was in the White Building we were one of 10 families participating. Since the family group was small, we had meals in Baby's and took over an arcade that was downtown (now Family Clothesline) - those two activities were a highlight of our Penn State time each February. "Bathroom Breaks" were a combination of not enough restroom facilities and today's slides of strength. As kids, Nick and Ashley loved playing in the baby powder to help the Morales (now Dancer Relations) massage each dancer that slid down the mats.

Family's favorite quote: "We fight for those who are in the battle, those who won the battle, and those whom a cure did not come soon enough."

Thank you students for your time and energy you dedicate to this cause. This year may look a little different, but the spirit of THON is still alive. Keep dancing so every cub can grow up to be a lion!

Makenna was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor when she was 3 years old, beating her cancer for the first time. However, in the fall of 2019, Makenna was diagnosed again with Rhabdomyosarcoma in her bladder, and after a year of treatment, she beat cancer again! The whole town of Manheim organized a parade to celebrate Makenna being cancer free. SLP is so grateful to be matched with such a strong princess warrior!

Makenna’s favorite THON memory is being a judge for the talent show and hanging with the Nittany Lion. Bradyn’s favorite THON memory is meeting Bo Nickal. 

Makenna loves anything pink and princess related! Bradyn is passionate about wrestling and enjoys reading Harry Potter. The family loves to go camping together. The Linders’ favorite quote is “Trust in God and live one day at a time.”

SLP loves the Linders!!

Leukemia in December of 2011. As of 2015, he is officially cancer-free!!

Our first THON was in 2013 and it was incredible! We were so amazed by how friendly everyone was and how passionate everyone was about THON! 

"Keep dancing for the kids!"

 

We have many great memory's of Mack that put a smile on our face.  She loved ice cream and would go to the freezer and say "ice" or ask mom for "ice" from her frappe coffee she would get. She would also make us smile as she waived as the bus pulled away for preschool. Our favorite memory though is her beautiful smile that would light up a room anywhere she went!  We miss and think of her everyday but know she is watching over us and some day we will all be together again in Heaven!

Thanks for everything you've done for us, to keep Mack's spirit alive and FTK!

Our family includes Derek, Amy, Leyna (17), Aaliyah (17), William (forever 12) and Denni (9). We are from Landisburg, PA and often spend time together just having fun. We play card or board games when we have the chance. In fact, just this past Christmas, some of our org’s members and our other THON family that we are paired with hopped on a Zoom call together to play holiday-themed Jeopardy! 

William passed away from ALL on July 15, 2017, 4 days shy of his 13th birthday. William was an amazing light that continues to drive and inspire us to do better, to be better. We consider every single THON volunteer family, always.

It’s hard to just pick one memory, but our personal favorite was when our Org dancer asked to have something small of William's just to have on him while he danced that first THON after losing William. I, Amy, decided to let him wear my fish necklace that contains some of William's ashes. It helped our org dancers make it through the weekend and it made my heart happy to know that William was a part of THON, even if in spirit. 

A favorite quote in our family is “Hold on to your knickers or buckle up, buttercup” hahaha

While we may have lost our son, we have since gained an amazing support system that we are forever grateful for :)

Thank you again for all that you do, FTK!

 

 

Our family consists of Peter (dad), Lisa (mom), Danielle (sister), Adam (brother), and Alex (our angel). Our son, Alex was diagnosed with Leukemia that was referred to as the Philadelphia Chromosome. This chromosome was an abnormality that made this disease extremely resistant to any sort of treatment at that time. He battled his disease for a little over two years, and unfortunately lost the battle against cancer on May 8, 2001.

 Two dates will forever be etched in our minds: April 19, 1999 and May 8, 2001. These dates represent the opening and closing of leukemia for our family and when our lives were forever changed. Alex always had faith that eventually be cured. We believe that we have done everything we possibly could have for our son, and with that belief we are constantly trying to heal. Although we lost a piece of our family, we love to talk about our son and how positive and happy of a person he was. It means the world to us to see Alpha Phi wearing Alex’s name on the back of their shirts and representing our angel during THON weekend.

Despite our angel Alex never making it to THON due to his compromised immune system, we find comfort in keeping his legacy alive through THON  and its members’ drive to find a cure for childhood cancer!

Thanks for everything you've done for us to keep Alex’s spirit alive and always FTK! 

Jhonen was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2012, and as of this December is now 5 years cancer-free!!. Jhonen and his brother Trenton are extremely energetic and love coming to THON weekend with their water guns filled.

When I was 4 years-old, I had gotten to my grandma's house; I got out of the car and my grandma's friend's dog ran at me and knocked me down. I was rushed to the hospital. The doctors did a couple scans and flew me to the Pittsburgh Churned Hospital. That was when my family and I found out that I had a brain tumor. I have gotten three numerous surgeries on my head. Mostly to readjust my shunt. I was four-years-old when all of this happened and now I am 23.

My favorite THON memory is that I love dancing with my dancers and squirting them with water guns!

My family's favorite quote is Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through him that strengthen me."

In the Fall of 2019, Mara came to the Alpha Phi’s THON Family Barbeque and got to hang out with the Aphi girls. She loves all of them! She’s like an honorary member in our paired organization. 

Our family consists of Brian (dad), Kristi (mom), Dylan (twin brother), and Kyle (twin brother, and THON child). Although Kyle is our official THON child, Dylan is treated as our organization’s THON child just as much as Kyle is! Alpha Phi loves them both equally! Kyle and his twin brother, Dylan, turned 14 during THON 2020 weekend, and will be turning 15 two days after THON 2021! 

Kyle has Hodgkin's Lymphoma, but went into remission September of 2018! He got to ring the bell and everything!!. He still goes in for regular check-ups to make sure nothing has returned. Kyle and Dylan both play soccer and baseball throughout the year and are super active! They also love to play Xbox and go to SkyZone. They’re both a bit shy at first, but open up pretty quickly and are the sweetest, most polite boys ever. They also both LOVE Penn State football and even named their dog, Nittany!

Our family includes Lilly (age 6), Caleb (9), Sabrina (21), Jeremy, and Adrienne.  We are from Drums, PA and we have been a part of THON since 2001.  Nadine was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in the fall of 2000. Chemotherapy and radiation beat the tumor at first, and Nadine was able to be a normal kid for a few months. But, then the cancer came back with a vengeance. She died on September 7th, 2001. She was only six years old.

Our favorite THON memories are when our daughters danced in THON.  Adrienne danced in 2007 for the Engineering House and Sabrina danced last year for the Society of Women’s Engineers.   

Our family loves to camp and hike with our dogs Cooper and Denali.

“Come on, come play some more!”

We are so fortunate to have the support of so many. The accomplishments of THON are unmatched and amazing to see every year. A quote our family loves is, “Believe deep down in your heart that you are destined to do great things” -JoePa

 

Our daughter, Joyce Ortiz, was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in August of 2016. Joyce relapsed 2 times. During the times of her relapse her right leg had to get amputated along with many other intense surgeries. Joyce was a very strong daughter who never gave up and fought until she gained her wings on January 30th 2020.

 

Our best and most memorable moment was when our daughter Joyce sang for her first time in front of thousands of people! ATΩ and ZTA have been an amazing organization to our family and are always there for us.

Our family's favorite quote is "We Fight As One." - Joyce Ortiz

Our kids favorite memory from THON is playing with the students all weekend long. The energy and passion that drives THON is evident in the student’s who put their heart and soul in this cause. We want to Thank each of you!

 

 

"I'm not worried about it" ~Riley Rejniak
#RallyForRileyRejniak

Family’s favorite quote: Whatever it takes.

What your family likes to do in your free time: Taiven enjoys playing ice hockey, and going camping.

  

Thank you all for doing what you do to help families like ours!

 

Our family is from Harrisburg, PA

Jen (Mom), Mike (Dad), Alexis (18) and Jarrett (12)

 

My family’s first Thon was in 1992. Since then my family has only missed 2 Thons.

 

Many memories including supporting my sister when she was a Thon dancer, taking my kids to Thon for the 1st time, watching my daughter donate her hair to Four Diamonds at Thon and getting a private tour of Beaver Stadium and Football locker room.

 

Jen was 16 years old when she was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma in 1990.

 

Our family are all sports enthusiast: Go Eagles, Phillies, Flyers and 76ers and Nittany Lions!

 

"I’m not what I have done, I’m what I have overcome"

After experiencing seizures for a few months, Kayla had an awake craniotomy in August 2013. Kayla was diagnosed with Astrocytoma Grade IV, known as Glioblastoma. She began chemotherapy and radiation therapy a month after surgery. Kayla did well during her initial treatments. In January 2014 Kayla returned to Penn State Main Campus to begin her senior year. Throughout her senior year she continued with chemotherapy.  She experienced side effects such as low platelet counts, shingles, pneumonia, all while continuing her education. Despite everything she went through she was able to graduate from Penn State in December 2014. Unfortunately, Kayla had a recurrence and despite all efforts and Kayla’s strength, determination, and beautiful smile she passed away October 14, 2015. 

We have a few THON memories that are our favorites. The first would be in 2013 when Kayla was an independent dancer. In 2015 Kayla was honored to be a featured speaker during Family hour. And we loved bringing our granddaughter to THON for the first time. She loved spending time on the floor with the dancers and the Blue Band. We love our family time together. Since Kayla has passed away we plan a special activity each year for her birthday. Our favorite quote is Kayla’s motto: “Life is tough but I am tougher.”

THON was an important part of Kayla’s time at Penn State beginning her freshman year. When she realized she would have to take time off of school, what was most difficult for her was that she wouldn’t be able to be part of THON as a Penn State student. 

 

Whitney was almost 3 when I took her to the doctor’s office to have a weird ‘rash’ checked out. The doctor examined her for no more than 2-3 minutes before sitting down and telling me that she was diagnosing Whitney with cancer. Our world was turned upside down in a matter of a few seconds. Whitney was a true warrior throughout her treatment. She was stronger than I ever could have imagined. Almost 4 years now post diagnosis she is healthy and happy. 

 

The Gehman girls' favorite memory at THON is whenever they were able to have a water gun battle with our CHAARG dancers on the floor. 

 

As a family, we like to go for walks together, ride bikes, and watch movies while eating popcorn. 

 

We are so grateful for the THON community and the support that they provide to families during some of their darkest days.

-Lindsay 

 

 

Kirsten is paired with Club Croquet.

 

Kirsten’s family includes Adrienne (sister), who attends Penn State Harrisburg, Kim (mom), and Greg (dad). They live in Middletown, PA.

 

At the age of 6, in July of 2002 Kirsten was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. Kirsten had both surgery to remove the tumor and 6 ½ weeks of conformal radiation. Today, she is a happy, healthy 25-year-old. She is an eighteen-year cancer survivor, who is living out her dream of being a kindergarten teacher. 

 

Kirsten’s first THON was in 2013, but in 2017 was her first THON with Croq.

 

Kirsten's favorite THON memory is THON 2020 when she got to speak on stage while donating her hair surrounded by her family and Club Croq. WE ARE!

 

In their free time, the Germans enjoys crafting. Their favorite quote is “Live life to the fullest, every day!”

 
Kenzie loves playing video games. Some of her favorite games are Kingdom Hearts (her favorite!), Pokemon, various Super Mario games, and Animal Crossing. When Kenzie is with Springfield, she enjoys racing Springfielders in Mario Kart and beating them in UNO. Some Springfielders have also been able to visit Kenzie’s Animal Crossing over the Nintendo Switch! Kenzie also enjoys watching her favorite Youtubers play several of her favorite video games. She also enjoys watching anime and loves going to SaikouCon, an anime convention in the Poconos, each year with Springfield. One year she even got some Springfielders to dress up! When driving to and from family visits with Springfield, Kenzie loves jamming out to Taylor Swift, her favorite artist. Sing along car drives are some of Springfield’s favorite memories with Kenzie. At home, Kenzie spends a lot of time playing with her adorable cats, Sammy and Sonya.  

 
Kenzie wants everyone to know that the THON community does a great job to make THON special each and every year!

 

The Beaver family “Club LAX is our extended family and have many wonderful memories with them all.” Their favorite THON memory was telling their family story at THON 2014 and their favorite quote is stay strong. In their free time, they like to go to the cabin, beach, kayak/boating and have camp fires. “Ten years seems like so long ago, but yet like it was yesterday. Thank you for the life and freedom we have from all your efforts to cure childhood cancer!”