An exuberant 12-year-old Dylan Moser -- waving, jumping and hollering on the front porch of his house -- greeted members of Delta Zeta and Delta Tau Delta who turned out to celebrate the birthday of their THON child.
Upon stepping out of their vehicles, Dylan quickly ushered his Penn State friends into his room, where he showed them his new toys he got for his birthday.
But he didn't mention the $95 he received for his birthday, because he decided to donate all of it to THON in honor of late football coach Joe Paterno.
Dylan, who is currently in remission after first being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia before his third birthday, was devastated when he heard the news that Paterno passed away Jan. 22 from lung cancer. Later in the day, he walked up to his mother, Janell Moser, 46, and handed her the $95 he received during his birthday party the previous day.
"I don't need it," he said to his mom as he gave her the money. "I have enough Legos. Give it to THON."
Shortly thereafter, his older sister Natasha followed suit and donated her money, too. The total reached $185, Janell Moser said.
Dylan wanted to help other children fighting cancer by honoring the coaching legend who lost his own fight to cancer.
He was specifically inspired by Paterno's philanthropic efforts to help better the world around him.
"JoePa was a really good guy and he really wanted to give money to help others so I thought I would just give my money away to do my part," he said.
Delta Zeta sorority member Melissa Huston described Dylan as the most energetic, enthusiastic and confident child she has ever met. The selflessness and maturity that the fifth-grader exhibited with his decision touched her.
"It's so remarkable that a 12-year-old, at an age when they want to buy new toys, has the heart to be selfless enough to realize there's something bigger than themselves," Huston (senior-information sciences and technology) said.
Dylan said he has attended THON eight times and is involved in the THON Talent Show. This year, he will perform a remix version of LMFAO's "Party Rock Anthem" with backup help from his THON group.
But despite his penchant for performance, Dylan said his favorite part of THON Weekend is when the total donation sum is revealed because it culminates the entire missions of THON -- to help children battling cancer.
"It shows the true Penn State," he said. "It shows that we really do care about kids with cancer."
