New York City -- The third annual NYC Hope Gala, an extension of Penn State's Dance Marathon (THON), will be held at New York City’s legendary Capitale on Jan. 21, 2011, and will be hosted by Penn State Quarterbacks Coach Jay Paterno. Funds from the NYC Hope Gala go directly to facilitating cancer research and providing financial support for affected families through The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pa.
“I’m honored to be able to host this year’s NYC Hope Gala,” Paterno said. “Penn State’s commitment to excellence goes way beyond football, and it is events like The NYC Hope Gala that continue to impress and empower students, alumni and friends of the University.”
The NYC Hope Gala was first held in 2009 to expand philanthropic efforts beyond Penn State for one of the school’s most unifying traditions, its 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping Dance Marathon affectionately known as THON. As the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, THON has raised nearly $70 million for the cause since 1977 -- $7.8 million last year alone -- and has helped thousands of children and families in their fight against pediatric cancer.
“We’re looking forward to raising even more for The Four Diamonds Fund this year in our never-waning fight against pediatric cancer,” said Sean Shapiro, NYC Hope Gala overall chair. “We’ve had a great turnout the last two years, and we’re counting down the days until this year’s event.”
One in every 330 Americans will develop cancer by the age of 20, and an average of 12,500 children and adolescents in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer each year. The Four Diamonds Fund is dedicated to continued research as well as providing financial support for families affected by pediatric cancer, including meals, hotels and transportation costs while their family member is undergoing treatment at Hershey.
Tickets for the 2011 NYC Hope Gala can be purchased for $180. VIP tickets are available for $275 and include a private reception with Paterno. To purchase tickets, receive additional information and learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit http://www.nychopegala.com/ online.
ABOUT THE FOUR DIAMONDS FUND
The mission of The Four Diamonds Fund is to conquer childhood cancer by assisting children treated at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital and their families through superior care, comprehensive support and innovative research. Any family with a child being treated for pediatric cancer at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital is automatically eligible for support. The fund has helped more than 2,000 families since 1972. Approximately 100 new families receive support each year. The fund offsets the cost of treatment that insurance does not cover, as well as expenses that may disrupt the welfare of the child, such as car repairs, rent or household utilities. The fund supports the medical team that cares for the children and funds pediatric cancer research through start-up grants and the Four Diamonds Pediatric Cancer Research Institute. For more information, visit http://www.pennstatehershey.org/ online.