by Niyah Rose
Chris Millard was 11 years old when he was first diagnosed with cancer. Shortly before he lost his three-year battle with cancer, he wrote a story about a great knight who sought out the four diamonds of courage, wisdom, honesty, and strength, in order to be released from the grips of an evil sorceress. These diamonds symbolized the attributes that Christopher’s family believed were necessary to overcome cancer.
In honor of their son, Christopher’s parents Charles and Irma Millard, founded the Four Diamonds to assist children and their families in the fight against childhood cancer. Through Four Diamonds, Chris Millard and his legendary story live on and serve as an inspiration for children and their families fighting cancer.
The Four Diamonds does everything for children with cancer. Every family fighting childhood cancer receives assistance from the four diamonds fund. Mini-thons raise over 10% of the annual budget for the four diamonds. Minithon is an event where people raise money for children with pediatric cancer.
In 6 years York Suburban has raised $380,177.84.
Part of York Suburban’s ways to raise funds for the Four Diamonds is to sell shirts. Student Council adviser Steve Whiteley said, “At the end of November the beginning of December we are also adding the long sleeve option to the Gold Out shirts.” Krissy Sprankle an 11th grader said, “she dances for the kids who can’t. Today we dance for a cure so that someday we can dance in celebration.”
Looking for upcoming events for Gold Out? Whiteley said, “No shave November loser has to shave in a weird way”. Also in December, they are doing a couple of restaurants night. They are also doing Mr. YS. Sprankle joined MiniTHON“through student council during my freshman year and fell in love.”
Whiteley helps so families don’t have to worry about medical bills. Sprankle “likes that it brings the entire community to fight for the same goal which is to cure childhood cancer and help families in their battle.”