Following the total reveal for THON 2023 with $15,006,132.46 raised, THON directors and Four Diamonds executive members spoke to the media in a post-THON press conference Sunday evening.

Four Diamonds Executive Director Suzanne Graney and Stacia Millard Bird, the sister of Christopher Millard and daughter of Four Diamonds co-founders Charles and Irma Millard, addressed the press alongside THON 2023 Executive Director Lily Pevoto and Public Relations Director Megan Dalo.

Graney fielded the first question and expressed her appreciation and reaction to the total amount raised for THON 2023.

“My heart is so full it’s spilling out from my eyes. It’s just incredible,” said Graney. “I’m so proud of these students, 16,500 of them. But in particular, the executive committee that I have the privilege of working with throughout the course of the year.”

She went on to talk about how much the money raised benefits the Four Diamonds families, from fully covering medical bills to other expenses such as clinical therapy and meal and gas expenses.

“Really, it’s what funds the possibility of the day when we don’t have cancer,” said Graney, comparing cancer research to a mystery novel. “We’re 15 million steps closer to [closing that novel] today than we were yesterday.”

Graney emphasized how special the relationship between the students and the families is.

“We celebrate all the wins, and where they’re propping each other up for the things that are really hard,” Graney said. “We saw that today in the Final Four, hearing families talk about losing their child or how did cancer impact their family, and how the THON community was part of their recipe for success in moving forward, and how they dealt with cancer and how they deal with it after cancer.”

Dalo talked about how for students, spending THON Weekend dancing for a cause is more than just a one-off decision to ditch their typical college weekend plans. It’s all about the memories and relationships created as a student volunteer with THON.

Pevoto explained how over 16,500 student volunteers come together to coordinate THON and make it as special as it is. She splits the students into two categories: those that help with the execution of THON Weekend and all the other events put on to benefit THON, and those that help fundraise for THON throughout the year. She went on to say that the two halves are not exclusive, as members of THON orgs, Greek life, special interest orgs, and everyone in between plays an important role.

“Pretty much every club you can think of contributes to THON in some capacity,” said Pevoto.

Even though THON is over, the executive committee still has plenty to do. First on its list is tearing down the BJC and restoring it to the state it was originally in. After that, the crew has some time to relax and celebrate, but the hunt for next year’s executive director, and then executive committee, will take place just after spring break.

“In the more immediate future, we have a lot of ‘thank you’s’ to make,” said Pevoto.