What started as a trip to Athlete Hour during THON blossomed into a long-lasting, meaningful connection between the women’s volleyball team and five-year-old Maren Brant. 

Maren was diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis two years ago. Throughout her treatment, she has been nothing short of resilient, outgoing, and brave, maintaining her sweet and playful nature. 

Maren lives with her family in York, Pennsylvania. Her mom, Amanda, is an elementary school art teacher and a Penn State alumna who graduated in 2010. Her dad, Gavin, is an engineer, and her seven-year-old sister, Margo, is her built-in best friend and playmate. Most recently, the two celebrated the birthday of their beloved Squishmallow Suki, throwing her a birthday party complete with decorations.

The Brant family discovered the huge role THON has in their lives after the second part of Maren’s diagnosis came about last October. As parents, Amanda and Gavin have enjoyed meeting the various Family Relations captains and the students who make THON possible.

“I think for us it’s just a place of hope, and a place of celebration, and a feeling surrounded by people who just get it because it is a very unique family situation that no matter how old you are, it will always be a part of your family’s journey,” said Amanda.

Amanda acknowledges how personal THON is to her as an alumna and how meaningful it is to receive support from the Penn State community.

“It has a lot of very personal meaning to me to be able to know that the university, the students, the athletes, everyone is giving back in such a generous way, it’s a lot to think about, but were very thankful,” said Amanda.

Gavin describes the dark period between May and October of 2024, when Maren was first diagnosed with her devastating condition. Between May and October, she went through the diagnosis of her first tumor, jaw reconstructive surgery, and then the diagnosis of a second tumor, which led to her starting her chemotherapy medication.

“It was a pretty rough time for our family, but then as we started to get connected to THON and leading up to THON, we started meeting people here locally where we lived, involved in mini THON events, and that helped us to start seeing things in a more positive light,” said Gavin.

Maren’s treatment is going really well. The Brant family notes that it’s the relationship they have continued to build with the women’s volleyball team that has turned something dark into a positive experience they hope Maren will always remember.

At THON 2025, during Athlete Hour, the Brant family met up with family friends from their hometown involved in mini THON and decided to head to Penn State for Athlete Hour. That’s when Maren met former Penn State women’s volleyball player Marin Collins, and the pair instantly hit it off over their shared name.

“There was a huge, big field, and then I walked in, and I sat down in a big circle, and I sat down beside a person that was named Marin, and I said, ‘What’s your name and she said, ‘Marin’, and I said, ‘My name is Maren too. ‘” said the freshman.

Maren and Margo both spent the hour playing with the girls on the volleyball team. Having realized the emotional impact Collins had on Maren, Amanda decided to reach out to her on Instagram. The Brants planned to meet up with Collins at the Pep Rally during THON.

At the Pep Rally, Collins took Maren to touch the trophy and meet Lexi Gin, Catherine Burke, and Ava Falduto. The girls instantly fell in love with Maren and Margo, and since then, they’ve welcomed the Brant family into their own.

“Getting to build that connection afterwards, I think, is what is so important. It wasn’t just a one-weekend thing. We’ve been able to make these girls in this family a part of our team. Which has been so special to us,” said Burke.

Since THON weekend, the team and the Brant family have shared various activities. They’ve baked cookies, gone to collegiate gymnastics meets, celebrated Margos’ birthday, visited Hershey, attended volleyball matches, and even taken a walk in the Arboretum, followed by a trip to the creamery.

“Margo and Maren both have such a special connection as sisters, and being a part of a program that is basically like sisters is awesome. To have them join in and become a part of our family is definitely, as an athlete and student, it gives you a ton of different perspectives,” said Gin.

Both the Brant family and the volleyball team hope this beautiful relationship will endure for many years to come.

“The care that I think our team shows for their family and their family shows for us is super special, and it makes having these events easy,” said Burke.

The Brant family hopes that as Maren grows up, she will always remember the amazing women who are role models in her life. 

“I hope that she will remember that she is always loved and supported and that she is very, very special and that no matter what, she has a whole village of people who are rooting for her and for our family and that means the world to us,” said Amanda.

The team’s relationship with Maren and Margo runs deeper than volleyball. Maren’s spunky personality and kind nature, which she has shown to the team has strengthened their sense of family. 

“Both of their personalities come to life, and just seeing how comfortable they are with us, it really means a lot, and it’s so fun to see because it’s like we have two little sisters,” said Gin.

The team notes that THON has had a profound impact on their Penn State experience.

“It gives people a lot of joy and content. The energy at THON weekend is amazing. It’s not really describable in words how awesome the environment feels in the BJC. Everyone there is volunteering. They’re there because they want to be there, and the fact that it’s completely run by the students is amazing as well,” said Gavin.

Maren’s story and her beautiful friendship with the women’s volleyball team serve as an inspiration to the entire Penn State community. The impact THON has had on not only Penn State students but people in general is beyond evident.

“The collective drive to do better each year, raise more money, make it a better experience, I think, is what sets THON apart from different fundraisers and different organizations,” said Burke.