Four Diamonds Fund

The Four Diamonds Fund is a charitable organization based out of Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Its ultimate objective is to "conquer childhood cancer". They take a three-pronged approach to this: medical care, financial and emotional support, and pediatric cancer research. Any child being treated for pediatric cancer at Penn State Hershey is eligible for support, and the Fund's policy is to fully cover all medical costs not paid by insurance. Essentially, families never see a bill. They have helped nearly 2,000 families since 1972 and approximately 90 new families receive support each year. These efforts are partially funded by THON, an annual student-run philanthropy at Penn State.

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The Four Diamonds Fund was established in 1972 by Charles and Irma Millard following the death of their son Chris from pediatric cancer. The name refers to a story written by Chris shortly before succumbing to the disease at the age of 14. After returning from summer vacation, his teacher told Chris' class to write a story about what they did during their vacation. Chris had spent the summer being treated for his illness, and asked his teacher if he could write something else, to which she agreed. The Four Diamonds story relates the details of the quest of Sir Millard to retrieve the Four Diamonds of Courage, Wisdom, Honesty, and Strength. These were virtues Chris believed were necessary in the battle against cancer.

A Disney TV movie based on the Four Diamonds story was broadcast in 1995, starring Tom Guiry as Chris. Christine Lahti co-starred as his doctor (and the sorceress Raptenahad), Kevin Dunn as Charles Millard (and a mysterious wizard), and Jayne Brook as Irma Millard (and a beautiful hermit).

References

• History of the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon and the Four Diamonds Fund (The Daily Collegian)
• The Four Diamonds Fund: Chris' Story (Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center)