How THON helped this Penn State alum become a Philly kid's mom
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Alyssa Abrams and her son, Kionne. Photo: Courtesy of Four Diamonds
A chain of events, set in motion years ago at Penn State, led Alyssa Abrams on a path to meeting a Philly boy who'd become her son.
The big picture: After earning three degrees from the university, Abrams became a child psychologist, a wife, and now, a mom. For many alums, that kind of life-shaping connection is why they give back to THON, Penn State's largest annual fundraiser for childhood cancer.
Driving the news: Alyssa and Kionne are taking part in their fourth THON — the 46-hour dance marathon that kicks off 6pm Friday in the Bryce Jordan Center and feels more like a "White Out" game than a fundraiser.
- The energy fuels something serious: Last year, THON raised a record $17.7 million for Four Diamonds, the charity that helps cover medical costs for families of children treated for cancer at Penn State Health Golisano Children's Hospital.
What they're saying: Organizers tell Axios they're hoping to top that total this weekend, thanks to 700 dancers, cameo videos from former Penn State athletes like Saquon Barkley, and speeches from some of the families who've been helped.
- "This was one of the motivating reasons why I wanted to come to Penn State," says Vraj Patel, a PSU senior and THON's media management director. "Just having a cause that is so meaningful."
- "Having this connection with THON is magical," the 30-year-old Abrams tells Axios.
Catch up quick: Kionne, now 14, was diagnosed with a rare, fast-growing form of leukemia before his fourth birthday.
- After undergoing treatment at CHOP, he went into remission. But instability in his home life led to missed follow-up appointments and, eventually, foster care.
- That's how he eventually met Abrams, who was a psychologist at the State College elementary school that Kionne was attending in 2021.
Zoom in: Kionne's teachers turned to Abrams for help when they noticed he needed better academic support.
- Abrams pored over his records, piecing together his story. She learned about the cancer diagnosis and that he had missed about a year's worth of school because of tardiness and absences.
While advocating for Kionne, Abrams felt her maternal instincts take over. Kionne, too, developed a bond with Abrams. He'd find excuses to visit her at her office.
- "He told me later that he would make up stories that happened, like, 'Oh, my friend was mean to me. They called me such and such,' and it never actually happened," Abrams says. "He really just wanted to talk to me."
Flashback: When Abrams learned the family he had been temporarily placed with wasn't planning to adopt him, she quickly arranged to bring Kionne home — a decision her husband enthusiastically supported.
- During the adoption process, which was finalized in June 2024, the Abramses learned lessons about parenting not captured in psychology books or studies.
"We had a ham sandwich go through our washing machine at one point, because he wasn't comfortable telling us that he was full," Abrams says.
- Kionne, who still has a relationship with his biological mother, has even come up with a nickname for his adoptive mom: "Mamasan."
The power of THON: Darryl Williams, a friend of Kionne's birth family, brought Kionne snacks while he underwent treatment in Philly. They reconnected after Johnson read Abrams' speech at last year's event.
- He's helped the family fill in some of the gaps, providing baby pictures and stories about Kionne's early life.
Case in point: As a young boy, Kionne's nickname was "Pop" because when he got grumpy, he acted like an old man.
The bottom line: Abrams credits THON with building bridges between people — and strengthening the connections that have carried her family through.
- "Now I'm in my psychology brain, but connection is one of the biggest protective factors for a kid," she says. "So knowing that my kid has like 15,000 adults at THON every year that just want to lift him up, I know he's going to be OK."
What's next: You can learn more about becoming involved with THON here.