Laura McMillen and her sister Katie share a bond above and beyond that of most siblings.

In February 1992, then six years old, Katie McMillen was diagnosed with acute lymphatic leukemia. While receiving chemotherapy treatments at Hershey Medical Center, Katie heard about the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (Thon).

"It was really scary; we didn't know what would happen. But The Four Diamonds Fund covered everything. We didn't need to worry anymore," Laura McMillen(senior-human development and family studies).

In 2002, Laura, then a sophomore at Penn State's Mont Alto campus, danced in Thon for the first time. That weekend, she went on stage during family hour and dedicated a dance to Katie.

"I felt like I couldn't do anything for her, except dance. I wanted her to know how much I cared and know that I was doing this for her," Laura said.

Katie's treatments have ended, and now, after 10 years in remission, she is considered cured.

The Association of Residence Hall Students (ARHS) adopted the McMillen family and danced for Katie in 1995. They continued to support the McMillen family until 2001, Laura's first year at the Mont Alto campus.

Twelve years after being diagnosed with leukemia and almost 10 years after she stopped receiving chemotherapy, Katie (freshman-agriculture) is joining her sister as a dancer.

This will be her first experience as a dancer and her sister's last.

"It's such a wonderful experience; it's just unexplainable ... it's truly a wonderful thing for all these students to come together and help people in need," Katie said.

Even after 10 years, the McMillens say they are still astounded by Thon.

"The first year we came up, we didn't know anyone, but the next year we were adopted and had our own dancers to support," Laura said.

After that year, the McMillens started looking forward to Thon.

"The day after Thon ended, my sister and I would start a count down to next year's dance -- we just couldn't wait to go back," she added.

Wilma McMillen, the women's mother, said although the battle with cancer was frightening, Thon helped the family persevere.

"It's a tragic thing to go through, but for us, everything turned out okay. We met some of the most wonderful people through Thon. It's been quite a journey," Wilma said.

She is proud of her daughters.

"This is our way of giving back to Four Diamonds for everything they've done for us," Wilma said.