I have a quick question for my fellow Penn Staters: How many of you directly know a child with cancer? Because I don't know any. How many of you know people with other cancers and diseases? Because I know too many.

Heart disease, lung cancer, breast cancer, depression, and that obscure problem my 23-year-old cousin had called pseudo-obstruction syndrome. How many people know about that disease? Apparently, her doctors didn't know enough to cure it either because she died in 1998.

I'm not saying that Thon is a bad idea. I think it's a wonderful concept. My problem is that it is secluded to one single disease.

Childhood cancer is a serious issue, but so are other illnesses. Why can't this university use Thon for other illnesses as well, like diabetes, which killed my 17-year-old classmate? There are so many other diseases that need money for research and treatment, and Thon could very well be used for families who deal with them.

Realize that most mental illnesses like alcoholism and manic depression exist because there isn't enough funding to learn more about the brain.

I understand that when all you greeks are out there canning and using the "For the Kids" tactic it has special appeal to people that they are helping children and strengthening your resumes. But while you're out there, I'm visiting my Alzheimer-stricken grandmother or going to therapy for my eating disorder.