In 1972 Christopher Millard died in Boston after several years of cancer treatment. During his struggle Christopher and his family received monetary help from a charity called the Jimmy Fund.

When Christopher died his parents decided to create a fund similar to the Jimmy Fund to help child cancer patients in the area, said Charles Millard, co-founder of the Four Diamonds Fund with his wife, Irma.

When the Millards petitioned the University's trustees to create a fund to help young cancer patients at the University's Hershey Medical Center, they agreed, said Cathy Hails, associate director at the medical center.

The fund's name comes from a short story written by Christopher titled "Story of the Four Diamonds," which was found after the 14-year-old's death, Charles Millard said.

Over 60 percent of the money in the Four Diamonds Fund comes from the Interfraternity/ Panhellenic Council Dance Marathon, Hails said. This year the Fund was able to help 320 patients, 40 more than last year, she said.

Two new research doctors were also added to the medical center's staff since last year, Hails said.

The amount of patients the fund helps will continue to grow as their reputation increases and as their ability to assist people increases, Hails said.

The average cancer victim faces $40,000 worth of medical expenses a year, however, so far the fund has never had to refuse aid to a patient, Hails said.

The Four Diamonds Fund will pay for all medical fees that primary and secondary insurance won't cover, so the amount of money each family receives varies depending on their insurance, she added.

The medical center treats most patients on an outpatient basis, allowing them to live at home and still receive treatment, Hails said.

The fund helps patients who are suffering from any kind of cancer, Hails said.

At first the fund only benefited Pennsylvania residents, however, now children from neighboring states have come to the medical center to receive assistance, she said.

Attempting to find a cure for cancer through research is an important part of the medical center, Hails said.

"I'm trying to find out why certain cancers develop an immunity to chemotherapy," said Dr. John Neely, chief of pediatric hermatology/oncology division at the center.

Neely said that he hopes to learn how to cure the disease by preventing cancer cells from resisting treatment.