THON 2013 Drexel Chapter

My name is Michael Mantz, a 2007 graduate of Penn State. Currently I am enrolled in a Masters Program at Drexel University. As part of our coursework in Athletic Development and Fundraising I am teamed with Warren Croxton to raise money for a non-profit organization. As a Penn State Alumni, it was a no brainer to select THON as the non-profit to raise money for.

For thos not associated with Penn State and unfamiliar with THON, here is a brief overview of the organization.

THON is a student run organization that is used to create funds to help find a cure for Pediatric cancer. Childhood cancers are the #1 disease killer of children. Every year on average, 12,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer. In the past 30 years, only one new drug has been created to help fight pediatric cancer.

Since 1973, THON has raised over $88 million. In 2012, a THON record $10.69 million was raised. All proceeds from THON go to the Four Diamonds Fund, a fund set up by Charles and Irma Millard in memory of their son who lost his life at age 14 to pediatric cancer. The fund also pays for treatment not covered by insurance for patients, travel expenses to the facility as well as hotel rooms for the families while the kids get treated.

Every donation counts, and goes directly to help the kids. Every donation you make will go to the four diamonds fund and go directly towards Penn State’s Hersey Hospital, considered by U.S. News and World Report Best Children Hospital Rankings to be one of the best in the country for cancer care. A goal of ours is to help THON break the record for total money received that was set last year by raising $1,000.00. To donate, go to https://assets.gogetfunding.com/project/thon-2013-drexel-chapter and follow the instructions on the page.

Thank you for taking the time to read our letter. We hope that you donate to this great cause that will hopefully lead to a cure to this deadly disease

Michael Mantz [email protected]

Warren Croxton [email protected]