Written by a parent, not a doctor. Nothing here is medical advice.
Support organization
Four Diamonds funds an integrated pediatric oncology support system at Penn State Health Golisano Children’s Hospital for Pennsylvania residents diagnosed before age 22. Eligible families enter through the hospital, receive an oncology social worker, and have 100% of cancer-related out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by insurance paid without a published income test or dollar ceiling. The system also includes child life and sibling support, psychology and neuropsychology, expressive and integrative therapies, physical activity, survivorship and AYA support, fertility preservation, grief and bereavement care, camp transportation, and funded therapeutic horsemanship. Most services use the same Four Diamonds and hospital-care pathway, but schedules, caps, and referrals differ and are represented below. THON family programs, Penn State hospital groups, and external camps retain their own operator boundary and are not misattributed as Four Diamonds-operated services.
Covers pediatric cancer expenses and funds comprehensive hospital-based emotional, practical, clinical-support, survivorship, and family services.
Integrated Penn State pediatric oncology financial coverage, social work, child life, therapies, survivorship, fertility, grief, camp access, and therapeutic recreation.
Resources and support for young people facing cancer, including participation in Life on Pause.
Helps with: Navigation Guides And Advocacy, Peer And Emotional Support, Scholarships And Survivorship
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: No
Four Diamonds helps enrolled children and teens access external cancer camps and specifically says it covers transportation for participating Camp Mak-A-Dream campers because camp itself is free.
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: No
Medical play, procedure education, preparation, distraction, coping and advocacy; Beads of Courage, playrooms, facility dogs, sibling help, monthly family meals and movie nights.
Helps with: School And Learning, Wishes And Family Experiences
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: No
Annual or one-time survivorship care: treatment summaries, late-effects checks, follow-up plans, social work, neuropsychology, genetics and help with school, work, relationships, finances and insurance.
Helps with: Medical And Insurance Costs, Navigation Guides And Advocacy, Scholarships And Survivorship, School And Learning
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: No
Current official evidence documents Four Diamonds paying fertility collection and storage before treatment and later transport of cryopreserved material to a specialist.
Helps with: Medical And Insurance Costs, Navigation Guides And Advocacy, Scholarships And Survivorship
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: Yes
Payment of eligible cancer-treatment and medical expenses your insurance does not cover.
Helps with: Medical And Insurance Costs
Where: PA
Care team must start: No
Psychology, family therapy, neuropsychology, art and music therapy, physical activity, nutrition, integrative oncology, genetic counseling, school coordination, chaplaincy, nursing and pharmacy help.
Helps with: Medical And Insurance Costs, Mental Health Therapy, School And Learning
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: No
Free grief help by phone, referrals, workshops, family counseling, remembrance events and a six-week child-loss parent group in spring and fall.
Helps with: Bereavement And Memorial Support, Mental Health Therapy, Peer And Emotional Support
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: No
Free enrollment in therapeutic horsemanship to help with coordination, balance, and emotional well-being.
Helps with: Wishes And Family Experiences
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: No
Assignment follows hospital enrollment.
Helps with: Mental Health Therapy, Navigation Guides And Advocacy, School And Learning
Where: Local rules apply
Care team must start: No
Patient Support Material
CancerBuddy is a smartphone peer-support network for patients age 12 or older, caregivers, and survivors, with a private Penn State Health page in the app.
Topics: cancer community, peer support
Guide · Patient Support Material
The free downloadable Sir Millard storybook explains the inspirational Four Diamonds story and organization history for children and families; it is not an assistance application.
Topics: coping story, organization history
Resource Directory
The survivorship directory links families to outside camps, education and work, insurance, fertility, transportation, peer support, and authoritative cancer resources; outside programs require independent verification.
Topics: education, fertility, insurance, peer support, survivorship, transportation
Organization details were last verified Aug 24, 2026. Program availability can change.
