Tucker Haas, former Four Diamonds child, experiences first Thon as a Penn State student

Tucker Haas has been involved in the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon Thon his whole life. This year, however, he’s able to see a different side of the largest student-run philanthropy in the world — as a freshman at Penn State.

Diagnosed with an undifferentiated sarcoma in 2002, Haas battled cancer for five years, relapsing three times during that period up until 2007. On Feb. 12, he reached his 13th year of being cancer-free.

A former recipient of Four Diamonds Fund support, Haas usually spent Thon weekend on the floor of the Bryce Jordan Center having fun and running around with a squirt gun. But for his 17th Thon, he serves on the communications and outreach committee, working shifts and informing families about the event.

“(Being involved with Thon this year) has definitely been a lot different than what I’ve experienced in the past,” Haas said. “I’ve learned a lot more from the behind-the-scenes aspect of what goes into the weekend, so that’s been neat.”

Haas and his best friend, Robby Schweitzer, met through Thon when they were both “adopted” by the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, the two Greek organizations with the highest Thon fundraising totals for 25 years straight. This is their first year together at Penn State, since Schweitzer is a senior. Schweitzer will also be dancing for the first time this year — his 19th Thon. Both Haas and Schweitzer are now members of Alpha Tau Omega.

Haas said his friendship with Schweitzer has only grown stronger with time, and now thinks of him as more of a brother than a friend.

“I think (Schweitzer) will definitely still be involved with Thon after graduating,” Haas said. “If not, I’ll drag him back so he can do it with me, but I think he’ll come back either way. Once you’ve been involved with something for so long, it’s hard to let it go.”

Haas said Thon was one of the main reasons he wanted to come to Penn State, and doesn’t see himself stopping anytime soon.

“At this point, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully let go of Thon,” Haas said. “And I think that just shows the impact that it has.”

This story was originally published February 22, 2020 at 6:00 AM.