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>> The Four Diamonds.
>> Since 1972, the Four Diamonds Fund has touched the lives of over 3,200 children diagnosed
with pediatric cancer at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.
Through innovative research, superior care, and comprehensive support, our mission is
to conquer childhood cancer.
>> Conquering childhood cancer.
>> The Four Diamonds.
>> Conquering childhood cancer.
>> The Four Diamonds Fund was the vision of Charles and Irma Millard, who lost their son
Chris to cancer.
>> The price was pretty heavy -- you know, losing Chris.
>> The Four Diamonds got its name from a short story Chris wrote just before the end of his
three-year battle with cancer.
>> "There are many famous tales of King Arthur's more illustrious round table members, but
one gallant knight was incredibly forgotten by the literatures.
He was Sir Millard."
>> Chris used the adventures of a young medieval squire named Millard to tell the story of
his own struggle with a disease that was ravaging his body.
>> Millard had fallen captive to the unpredictable Raptenahad.
>> Raptenahad challenged Millard to collect the four legendary diamonds by completing
four impossible tasks.
>> We didn't talk about it, but I think he attached it to the four Millards.
>> If he accomplished every task without fail, he would be freed, and Raptenahad's reign
of evil would end forever.
>> The first diamond represented his mother.
>> His mother, the tree of life and the diamond of courage.
>> Shortly, he looked directly upon the grandeur and the beauty of the tree of life.
>> Four Diamonds is courage.
>> Courage.
>> The Four Diamonds is courage.
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>> When you hear those words, that your child has cancer, your brain just goes numb, and
that's where the Four Diamonds comes in.
>> Every child diagnosed with cancer at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital receives
assistance from the Four Diamonds.
>> We don't look at income; we don't look at family assets.
Every single family is able to get help.
>> And that allows the family to concentrate on what's important: helping their child.
>> What began as a tragedy for the Millard family has become something so amazing and
has touched so many families and helped them through.
>> While Millard was gone, Raptenahad arranged his next task.
He was assigned to capture the elusive Stacia Swan.
>> The second diamond represented his sister.
>> And that was Stacia Swan and the diamond of wisdom.
>> It was a graceful, slender bird tried for by many skilled hunters, but it still roamed
free from men.
>> The Four Diamonds is wisdom.
>> Wisdom.
>> Is wisdom.
>> The Four Diamonds is wisdom.
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>> They understood before we had any idea that it affects everyone.
>> With myriad programs in place for children and their families, the Four Diamonds Fund
is a key part of cancer treatment at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.
>> Not only do the families get financial support from Four Diamonds Fund, but there
are holiday get-togethers.
There are family picnics.
>> Roarrrrrr --
>> And research, lots of research.
>> The Four Diamonds Fund allows me to take chances with my research, to look in new directions,
explore new ideas.
It's this sort of thing which will allow development of new cures.
>> Which is really what the Four Diamonds ultimately hopes to do: conquer childhood
cancer.
>> The Four Diamonds Fund helps the families so they can focus on the disease and getting
the child better.
>> The Four Diamonds is honesty.
>> Is honesty.
>> The Four Diamonds is honesty.
>> I think that the support that they get, and letting families know that there's so
many people out there that are behind them, that they don't have to do this alone.
>> Hi.
>> The Four Diamonds Fund is invaluable to this hospital.
>> Charles is very impressed by Millard's kindness and honesty.
>> The diamond of honesty was about Charles the Mysterious.
I never thought of myself as being mysterious, but I guess he did.
>> Really be assured that your money will be put to good use when you donate to the
Four Diamonds Fund.
>> I had one young boy last year nearly sent me to the floor in tears.
But he came up to me, and he said, "Hi, my name is Mark.
I'm alive because of you."
I thought, "That's pretty heavy stuff, Buster."
>> Four Diamonds is awesome.
>> And it's because of a lot of people is what makes it work.
>> Just remember that.
>> Alas, the fourth task was pronounced: Raptenahad wished to have the head of the Black Cavalier.
>> The last diamond, the diamond of strength, which represented himself.
>> The two duelers charged with their sparkling lances cocked for each other's death.
They collide with a crash, and Millard fell from his horse, as his enemy's weapon struck
his leg.
>> The Four Diamonds is strength.
>> Strength.
>> Four Diamonds is strength.
[applause]
>> THON is amazing.
It's a family.
>> Have you ever been to a THON?
It's outstanding!
There's nothing like it!
>> One of our biggest slogans at Penn State for THON is "FTK," "for the kids."
It's our rallying call.
That's why we're here.
Here for the kids.
>> The Penn State Dance Marathon is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world.
With over 15,000 student volunteers, this year-long fundraising effort culminates in
February with a tw0-day dance marathon at the Bryce Jordan Center.
THON is also the single largest donor to the Four Diamonds Fund, having raised over 88
million dollars to date.
>> We worked hard in the early days to get the fund going, you know, but it was Penn
State students in 1977, and they're the ones who really put life into the fund.
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>> I don't know.
Maybe Einstein was right when he said we're energy, and energy doesn't die.
It just changes.
>> Millard mustered up all his remaining strength and sent his sword smashing through the wicked
knight's black helmet.
>> The Four Diamonds is hope.
>> The Four Diamonds means hopes.
>> When Millard arrived at the castle, he noticed a change had taken place in the total
environment.
>> The Four Diamonds, it's, makes me feel like I'm part of their family.
>> No longer was the forest dark and morbid, but now was full of animals, and birds were
singing cheerfully from the green trees.
>> Go!
Go!
Ho ho ho ho ho!
>> We will spend the rest of our lives giving back to the fund, because in so many ways
the fund has given back to us.
>> That was awesome.
Nice catch.
>> No longer was Raptenahad's castle black and ghostly, but now was a noble, stately
house.
>> I think that children will be cured of cancer, and one day we'll all be out of a
job, which would be great!
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That would be a great day.
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>> Realizing that he had destroyed Raptenahad, Millard entered the palace that wore his very
own coat of arms.
Millard had proven that he truly deserved knighthood, and from then on, he lived in
glory as Sir Millard.
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