While Penn State has over 1,000 student organizations, Sammy Vaillancourt noticed the Smeal College of Business was noticeably lacking in ones that centered around the LGBTQ+ experience.
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