Penn State Health Golisano Children's Hospital

03/06/2026

🎗️ When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, the whole family feels it — especially children.

CLIMB® (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) is a free support program designed to help children ages 6 to 12 understand and cope when a parent, grandparent or caregiver has cancer.

Through guided activities and conversation, children learn about cancer in an age-appropriate way, explore their emotions and build coping and communication skills — all while connecting with other kids who are going through something similar.

The six-week program meets one evening each week on the Penn State Health campus in Hershey and is led by specially trained staff and volunteers. Each session begins with a shared family meal before children participate in a supportive group experience.

📅 Next session: Wednesdays, April 1 through May 6, 2026

Registration is required: https://bit.ly/3MKJZj4

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4snaA4L

03/05/2026

💙 A big thank you to the students at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus!

As part of a service initiative led by their Student Government Association, students came together to create 35 handmade fleece blankets for pediatric patients at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital.

Working together in the student center, they turned soft fleece into something even more meaningful — comfort for children during their hospital stay. 🧶

The project was inspired by a simple goal: to remind kids and families that a whole community is rooting for them.

We’re so grateful to these students for sharing their time, creativity and care to help bring warmth and encouragement to our patients. 🫶

03/04/2026

🎃 Thank you to Spirit of Children for supporting Child Life at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital!

Their team recently presented a check for $131,364 raised last year to help bring comfort, play and joy to our patients through Children's Miracle Network Hershey.

We were especially happy to celebrate with Miracle Child Emmett — a Spirit Halloween super fan who spent five months in the NICU after being born at 26 weeks and has undergone 29 surgeries. His mom shared that he especially loves virtual bingo with Child Life. 💙

We’re so grateful to Spirit Halloween, their teams and every shopper who helps create moments that make a hospital stay a little easier for kids like Emmett.

03/03/2026

Meet Dr. Susannah Christman 🩺

A pediatrician at Lancaster Pediatric Center, she’s always felt called to care for children and believes the best way to support her patients is by truly listening to what families are going through.

03/02/2026

💙 Support looks different for every family.

Daniel Moreno Torres, a Four Diamonds–funded interpreter, has spent the past year helping pediatric oncology families feel informed, included and supported throughout their child’s care.

He’s been there for families in clinic — and during meaningful moments beyond the hospital.

On Friday of THON weekend, Daniel joined Dara and her family on the floor, spending time with them and helping ensure they could fully share in the experience together.

Support made possible through Four Diamonds — and the Penn State THON community that fuels it — helps ensure families never have to navigate their child’s cancer journey alone.

02/27/2026

💙 We can’t close out Heart Month without celebrating Camp LionHeart.

Created specifically for children with heart disease, this medically supported camp blends education and adventure in a safe, joyful environment. Campers learn how their hearts work, practice hands-only CPR and build healthy habits — all while swimming, kayaking, hiking, tackling ropes courses and gathering around campfires. 🏕️

Staffed around the clock by medical professionals from the Penn State Health Children’s Heart Group, Camp LionHeart gives kids with complex heart conditions the chance to experience the magic of camp.

Thanks to donors through Children's Miracle Network Hershey at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital, this week is offered free of charge to families.

See how your generosity makes moments like this possible: https://bit.ly/4rFqqb9

02/26/2026

🦠 What’s Going Around: Strep Throat

Lots of sore throats right now — but when could it be strep?

Dr. Leah Kaye from Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital says:

➡️ If your child has cough or cold symptoms, it’s likely viral — not strep
➡️ Kids under 3 rarely get strep
➡️ A severe sore throat lasting more than 1–2 days, especially with fever and no cough, may need a pediatrician visit for testing

For relief:
✔️ Ibuprofen (6+ months) or acetaminophen
✔️ Popsicles or cool foods

When in doubt, check with your pediatrician 💙

02/25/2026

At Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital, Wednesday means Bingo day. ✨

For patients like Delaney, it’s more than just a game — it’s a chance to smile, stay busy and simply feel like a kid during cancer treatment.

Through our Child Life program, patients and families receive support from the moment they arrive through every step of their journey, helping them navigate uncertainty, pain and anxiety while creating moments of normalcy along the way. That support is made possible through Four Diamonds and the generosity of the Penn State THON community.

Because of you, moments like Bingo are part of the journey.

Read more about Delaney’s story and how Four Diamonds supports families like hers: https://bit.ly/46ZslyL

02/24/2026

🏠 When your child starts walking, climbing and exploring, your home suddenly looks very different.

“What can they physically do — and what will they be able to do next?” says Emmy Sasala, trauma prevention coordinator at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital. “Get down at their eye level and see the world through their eyes. You’ll find all sorts of things they can reach that you didn’t realize.”

From kitchen burns to medication mix-ups and preventable falls, many common childhood injuries happen right at home.

🍳 Turn pot handles inward and keep sharp items out of reach.
💊 Store medications up, away and out of sight.
🪜 Use gates for stairs and keep furniture away from windows.
🔒 Store fi****ms locked and unloaded, with ammunition stored separately.

Supervision is key — but small changes in each room can make a big difference in preventing injuries.

Learn more about childproofing your home in this Medical Minute: https://bit.ly/3Oo6z1o

02/23/2026

🎉 $18,841,726.53 For The Kids.

Penn State THON 2026 raised a record-breaking $18.8 million for Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital — surpassing last year’s total by more than $1.1 million.

For our Four Diamonds families, this weekend represents hope, support and the power of an extraordinary community. Funds raised provide emotional and financial assistance and help advance pediatric cancer research — allowing families to focus on healing and milestones that matter most. 🎗️

For 46 hours, more than 700 student dancers stood strong in support of children like ours.

Since 1977, THON has raised more than $272 million for Four Diamonds.

To every dancer, volunteer, donor and supporter — thank you for standing For The Kids. 💙

02/22/2026

🫶

The total for THON 2026 Love Leads Forward is $18,841,727.53

02/22/2026

🔔 What a week for Jonus.

Earlier this week, Jonus rang the bell at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital — a powerful and emotional moment marking the end of his cancer treatment.

This weekend, he’s celebrating that milestone at Penn State THON, surrounded by thousands of dancers and supporters who stand For The Kids and for families like his.

At Golisano Children’s Hospital, we see firsthand how support through Four Diamonds helps families focus on healing, hope and moments like this.

As we head into the final hours of THON Weekend, Jonus’ story is a reminder of what this community makes possible. 🫶

📺 Tune in live at thon.org/livestream
🎗️ Grand total reveal later this afternoon