State College mayor Ron Filippelli officially proclaimed the borough the “City of THON” Friday for the entire 46 hours dancers remain standing in the Bryce Jordan Center.
Filippelli’s proclamation is the latest in a renaming tradition that began in 2015 in support of Penn State students’ efforts to benefit the Four Diamonds and the fight against pediatric cancer.
Borough Manager Tom Fountaine and his wife, Tamra, introduced Filippelli and shared their family’s experience fighting pediatric cancer. The couple’s oldest son, Tommy, is a childhood cancer survivor who was diagnosed in 1998. Tommy graduated from Penn State and the Penn State College of Medicine, and is now a pediatric oncologist.
State College Borough Manager Tom Fontaine took the stage of #THON2020 to thank this year’s volunteers and share his son’s story.
Fontaine’s son was diagnosed with cancer in 1998, but he beat the disease and is now a doctor who treats children battling cancer. pic.twitter.com/Mo8cU3B6Zv
— Onward State (@OnwardState) February 21, 2020
Tommy’s younger brother, Adam, founded student THON organization FOTO in 2009 in honor of his older brother.
‘We learned very quickly it is the entire family that goes through that journey,’ Tom Fountaine said. ‘Tom’s experience certainly affected his siblings enormously…We’re incredibly proud to be here. We’re incredibly honored to be part of this. You inspire us. You inspire the state of Pennsylvania, the City of THON and the entire world.’
Filippelli then addressed the crowd.
“As mayor of the Borough of State College, I have the privilege of attending many worthwhile events,” he said before making the official proclamation. “But none with as big a heart as THON.”
