HISTORY

Knight of Diamonds is the Washington, DC-based fundraising gala benefiting the Penn State Dance Marathon, the Four Diamonds Fund and the Oncology Unit at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Inspired by Chris Millard, a 14 year old boy who struggled to overcome cancer , the title “Knight of Diamonds” encompasses his remarkable story of a knight, Sir Millard, and his quest for the four diamonds: courage, honesty, wisdom and strength as a symbolic description of his fight against cancer. Chris lost his battle to cancer in 1972, but his legacy lives on through the work of The Four Diamonds Fund at Hershey Medical Center, the sole beneficiary of the Penn State Dance Marathon.

WHO

Knight of Diamond’s Board of Directors is made up of a group of 8 Penn State alumni whose undergraduate experiences were enriched by their participation in THON. As students, we experienced firsthand the powerful impact we can have by working together for something greater than ourselves.

Since 1977, Penn Staters have been coming together annually to support the Four Diamonds Fund and the Penn State Children’s Hospital at Hershey Medical Center, raising an astounding $59 million in our efforts to find a cure for pediatric cancer.

Now as graduates living in Washington, we have established careers and settled into new lives, but we pride ourselves on representing our alma mater beyond the borders of the university.

Knight of Diamonds in collaboration with the Metro Washington Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association (MWCPSAA) aspires to become a yearlong effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. We’re excited to have you join us in the nation’s capital as we continue to make strides to find a cure.