THON co-founder reflects on his 41 years part of the Penn State student-run philanthropy

THON co-founder reflects on his 41 years part of the Penn State student-run philanthropy

THON co-founder reflects on his 41 years part of the Penn State student-run philanthropy

Near the end of his son's life battling cancer, Charles Millard said his son Christopher told him that "he wanted to come back as a wizard and make people well."

The day after their son died, Millard, along with his wife, Irma established Four Diamonds, and Millard said the students are fulfilling Christopher's dream.

Since beginning in 1973, Penn State THON has evolved into the largest student-run philanthropy in the world dedicated to fighting childhood cancer.

It didn't start out this way, however.

The very first THON, held in the HUB-Robeson Center's Ballroom, lasted only 30 hours, as opposed to the 46 students now know. That weekend, they raised over $2,000.

In a pre-THON press conference, Millard could only say describe the changes THON has undergone as "Fabulous."

"It just keeps sprouting and getting better every year," Millard said. "It's grown to one-of-a-kind in the country, one-of-a-kind in the world, that's pretty awesome."

Tearing up, Millard described one particular moment of a child coming up to him, thanking him for "saving his life."

"It's pretty hard to take," he said, with tears in his eyes. "It's been an interesting experience."

Andrew Smith, 2018 THON executive director, said these past few months of preparation have gone by very quickly.

Now, Smith along with thousands of others part of THON are gearing up for another weekend of 46-hours, all for the kids.

"I wouldn't go back and change anything," Smith said. "Every single day has brought new opportunities, new experiences and that's something I wouldn't change for the world."