The final stages of THON 2026 started with family hour on Sunday afternoon. Stacia Millard-Bird, daughter of Four Diamonds founder Charles Millard, opened the hour with a speech.

Millard-Bird’s brother, Christopher, lost his battle to cancer at 14 years old in 1972. Since his passing, Millard-Bird has stayed involved with THON, doing so for more than 50 years.

“I would not be who I am today without THON. Before THON, I was without a greater purpose. THON is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me,” she said. “THON makes me believe that magic is real.”

After Millard-Bird’s introduction, the family procession began. Over 80 Four Diamonds families walked across the center stage. Each family was greeted with applause by the Bryce Jordan Center

Following the procession, the Devin Pulaski family took the stage, Devin shared her own story.

In September 2017, Nick and Debbie Pulaski noticed a bulge on the side of Devin’s stomach one night. The following morning, they took Devin to the emergency room, where an ultrasound was performed.

“They [doctors] took my parents into a small room where they told them something you never want to hear, ‘Your child has cancer,'” Devin said.

Doctors found a Wilms tumor “bigger than a grapefruit” on Devin’s right kidney.

“As you can imagine, finding out you have cancer is scary. They helped us talk through it. After that, it was a whrilwind of tests and doctors, scary tests and conversations,” Devin said.

After further testing, Devin underwent six weeks of chemotherapy. This allowed doctors to remove the tumor. Following her surgery, Devin went through eight more weeks of radiation.

After a strong fight, Devin is now seven years cancer-free. She rang the bell in 2018 after finishing treatment.

“We could not have made it through the tough times without our THON family. Because of THON and Four Diamonds, we have to be an accountant or billing coordinator worrying about how to afford Devin’s treatments,” Nick Pulaski said.

Following the Pulaski family, the Keaghan Faulders family walked to center stage to share her story. Her father, Bryan Faulders, spoke on behalf of the family.

“On Monday, December 5, I went to work like any other day. Caitlin [Keaghan’s mom] called to say she was taking Keaghan to urgent care,” Bryan said. “Keaghan was having trouble walking and no longer eating. Caitlin was hopeful for antibiotics, thinking Keaghan picked up pneumonia her brother had the week before.”

At urgent care, Caitlin insisted Keaghan have a chest x-ray after noticing she was having trouble breathing.

“The urgent care doctors returned with two options. They could call an ambulance or drive her straight to the hospital,” Bryan said.

Keaghan’s journey began when that trip to urgent care revealed a collapsed right lung. She was taken to a local hopsital and further tests showed Keaghan had T-cell Leukemia.

She underwent surgery to drain fluid in her lungs and to install a port. Keaghan was released from the hospital to spend the holidays at home. After New Year’s, she caught COVID-19 and had to be readmitted.

In April 2023, a bone marrow biopsy showed Keaghan was in remission. Two days after, she developed extreme fevers and pain. Tests showed she developed Aspergillosis, a dangerous fungal infection.

The Faulders had to make a decision: Stop radiation and risk a relapse or attempt a risky lung surgery. They eventually found a surgeon willing to operate on Keaghan.

Keaghan underwent a successful surgery, but had to take anti-fungal medications for a year and a half. She finished taking them in October 2024, by April 2025, she completed her last dose of chemo and rang the bell on May 19, 2025.

To close out the hour, Stephanie Jarrett spoke on behalf of the Courtney Jarrett family. Courtney was diagnosed with leukemia at 15 years old after coming home ill from a cheerleading camp. Stephanie took her to their local emergency room.

“They ran labs, and those labs were off. Enough that they transferred her to another hospital with a pediatric wing,” Stephanie said. “After more tests, a doctor came in and told us the best case scenario was mono. Worst case scenario was leukemia.”

Doctors later confirmed it was leukemia, and Courtney passed away six weeks later.

“Courtney did not get the future she deserved. She should have gone to prom, she should have graduated. She should have grown up with her siblings besides her,” Stephanie said. “But because of THON Four Diamonds, others will someday. That is Courtney’s legacy.”