Penn State THON Supports Clinical Trials for Childhood Cancer

Annual fundraiser helps fund research and care for young patients like Asher

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Penn State's annual THON event raises money for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Health Golisano Children's Hospital, supporting clinical trials and care for children with cancer. The story focuses on Asher, a young boy diagnosed with neuroblastoma, and how the funds from THON and Four Diamonds have enabled him to receive specialized treatment and care.

Why it matters

THON is one of the largest student-run philanthropies in the world, raising millions each year to support childhood cancer research and treatment. The funds directly impact the lives of young patients like Asher, providing access to cutting-edge clinical trials and ensuring families don't have to worry about the costs of care.

The details

Asher, a young boy who loves video games, cars, and stuffed animals, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma after experiencing persistent stomach aches and lack of appetite. He underwent the standard five rounds of chemotherapy with surgery, but not all children achieve remission with that treatment. Asher was then enrolled in a clinical trial led by Dr. Giselle Sholler, adding an immunotherapy to the chemotherapy to help his immune system fight the cancer. This specialized treatment was made possible through the commitment of the Four Diamonds Fund and the efforts of Penn State students who contribute over 5 million hours of work to THON each year.

  • Asher has been receiving treatment at the hospital for the past year.
  • Penn State's THON event is happening in two days.

The players

Asher

A young boy who loves video games, cars, and stuffed animals, and has been receiving treatment for neuroblastoma at the hospital for the past year.

Lauressa Moe

Asher's mother, who shared her relief upon discovering the cause of her son's persistent stomach aches and lack of appetite.

Dr. Giselle Sholler

Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Penn State University, who diagnosed Asher with neuroblastoma and led the clinical trial that added an immunotherapy to his treatment.

Suzanne Graney

Executive Director of Four Diamonds, which is committed to funding researchers seeking new treatments for childhood cancer.

Chris Pratt

Actor who made a video to encourage Asher during his major surgery in New York.

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What they’re saying

“I was glad that I wasn't crazy because I knew something wasn't right.”

— Lauressa Moe, Asher's mother (wgal.com)

“But not all kids are able to achieve remission with that. And so with the trial that he was on, we added an immunotherapy onto that chemotherapy. So that's using an antibody that is specific for neuroblastoma to help his own immune system clear the cancer.”

— Dr. Giselle Sholler, Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Penn State University (wgal.com)

“It's taking care of the cost of care for all of those patients, making sure that every Four Diamonds child is receiving the care that they need in the moment. They need it without any worry about the bill that would come afterwards.”

— Suzanne Graney, Executive Director of Four Diamonds (wgal.com)

“Something that you have could make somebody's day brighter, and you might think, oh, it's not much, but just a smile. You know, a video. It all helps. Dancing. It's good stuff.”

— Lauressa Moe, Asher's mother (wgal.com)

“The money from Four Diamonds and THON really makes this all possible here for kids like Asher and for all of our patients. We wouldn't be able to do research if it weren't for philanthropy and fundraising.”

— Dr. Giselle Sholler, Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Penn State University (wgal.com)

What’s next

The 46 hours of dancing at Penn State THON is the reason Asher is now in remission.

The takeaway

THON's commitment to funding childhood cancer research and care has a direct, life-changing impact on young patients like Asher, providing access to cutting-edge treatments and ensuring families don't have to worry about the financial burden of their child's care.