As always, Family Hour at THON is undoubtedly the most sobering part of the entire weekend. The THON 2021 Weekend’s rendition was no exception, despite being virtual.
Family Hour began with a montage of Four Diamonds families and children describing what THON means to them. Family Relations Director Anne Papandreas welcomed the virtual crowd and introduced the montage.
“We unify to continue to telling the stories of those we lost,” Papandreas said.
Four Diamonds co-founder Charles Millard followed. Millard started the Four Diamonds. In an emotional interview,
“Each year is different and exciting and stands on its own, but put them all together and it’s magnificent what it’s done,” Millard said. “There’s no place in the world that does what THON does.”
The compilation also featured pictures and videos of past THON children and their families.
The hour featured dozens of mini stories from THON children and their families, interspersed with three longer, personal family stories.
The first two stories â those of the Hailey Dougherty family and the Makenna Linder â spoke of current treatments and survival. The final story â that of Nickolas Akright â spoke of Akrightâs death by suicide following treatment.
Each family discussed what motivates them to keep fighting, and the help that Four Diamonds and THON have given them along the way.
Here are their stories.Â
By Jeremiah Hassel