UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Grace Stampien, a fourth-year Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing bachelor of science in nursing student from Scranton, Pennsylvania, has a unique and inspiring perspective when it comes to pediatric cancer and THON. As the world’s largest student-run philanthropy, the IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon raises millions of dollars each year to fund pediatric cancer research.
Growing up, Stampien was an athlete and always in the weight room but had been dealing with back pain throughout her third year of high school. She was a tough athlete and attributed the pain to basketball and lifting. However, halfway through her basketball season, the pain became unbearable, said Stampien.
Time passed and she had x-rays, MRIs, been to physical therapy, and seen a chiropractor. Nobody could identify the cause of her back pain, she explained.
On Feb. 27, 2019, Stampien's pediatrician referred her to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and she was admitted to the emergency room and then transferred to the oncology floor, where she was soon diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia B cell type. Thankfully, said Stampien, after two and a half years of treatment, she took her last chemo pill on July 17, 2021.
Despite being cancer free, her journey was rife with challenges, she said: Throughout treatment, she experienced almost all the side effects and spent more than 130 nights in the hospital dealing with treatment complications.
She also spent her first year in the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing taking online classes, which was a blessing since she was still in treatment, said Stampien. Trying to juggle treatment and school were enough, she added, so it wasn't until her second year when she became involved in THON.
Stampien joined THON through the Student Nurses’ Association at Penn State (SNAPS) and CHAARG, and after walking into the Bryce Jordan Center and experiencing THON firsthand, she said, there was no doubt she had to dance. Stampien and her friend danced as an Independent Dancer Couple (IDC) in THON 2023.
“I wanted to dance for the people who didn't make it through treatment and the people who went through it as well," said Stampien. "It was hard enough for me at 17, so I can only imagine what it's like for these little kids who have no idea what is going on.”
Since her diagnosis in 2019 and her involvement with THON, Stampien has met many Four Diamonds’ families and has connected with people who share similar experiences. THON has become more than just philanthropy to her, she said, it is personal.
“I don't think students realize the extent of what they are doing. A lot more comes with a cancer diagnosis than just a huge medical bill. It's everything like traveling back and forth to appointments, food, and Four Diamonds’ covers all of that," Stampien said. "I don't think other people realize until you are on the other side, like how this is so helpful to so many people.”
Stampien has been in remission for a year and a half and has routine appointments every three months to monitor her health. She said she feels optimistic for the future and will spend her summer externship caring for children in the pediatric oncology unit at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She said this full-circle moment will undoubtedly serve as a source of inspiration as she cares for the most vulnerable patients, mirroring the care that she received during some of her most challenging years.