Hosted by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association, in partnership with the Montgomery County, PA Chapter.

The Liberty Ball, A Knight For the Kids™ is an annual black tie optional event hosted by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association. Created in 2005 to continue fundraising support efforts to the Penn State Dance Marathon “THON,” the Liberty Ball contributes to the mission of conquering childhood cancer.

BENEFICIARIES

PENN STATE DANCE MARATHON
The Penn State University IFC/Pan-Hellenic Dance Marathon, affectionately referred to as THON, is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world! Its goal is to conquer childhood cancer. THON is now a year-long effort that raises funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. With the support of students from all across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and THON Alumni all around the world, we continue to make great strides towards finding a cure for all childhood cancers!

THE FOUR DIAMONDS FUND
In 1977, THON partnered with The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children’s Hospital, and designated The Fund as the sole beneficiary of THON’s fundraising efforts. THON still proudly supports The Four Diamonds Fund’s efforts to conquer childhood cancer and to date, has contributed more than $69 million to The Fund. The Four Diamonds Fund was established by Charles and Irma Millard, after the death of their son, Christopher, who was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 11. The Fund is named after a story that Chris wrote shortly before he lost his battle with cancer at the age of 14. In Chris’ story, a knight must find the four diamonds of Courage, Wisdom, Honesty and Strength in order to be released from captivity by an evil sorceress. The four diamonds are symbolic of the traits Chris believed were necessary to overcome cancer.

The Fund offsets the cost of treatment that insurance does not cover, as well as expenses that may disrupt the welfare of the child. The Fund supports the medical team that cares for the children and funds pediatric cancer research through start-up grants and the Four Diamonds Pediatric Cancer Research Institute.