For the Kids, For Today, For Always: A Life-Changing Weekend

Every now and then, we experience a moment that stops us in our tracks. A moment that reminds us of the depth of human connection, the fragility of life, and the incredible strength of community. Last weekend, I found myself in one of those moments at Penn State’s THON—an experience I will never forget.

For those unfamiliar, THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, bringing together thousands of Penn State students, alumni, and supporters to raise funds for families battling childhood cancer. After a year of fundraising, it culminates in a 46-hour dance marathon, but it’s about far more than dancing. It’s about love, resilience, and an unbreakable commitment to making a difference. This year alone, THON raised almost $18 million for Four Diamonds, an organization that provides emotional and financial support to families affected by pediatric cancer.

But no dollar amount or number of dancers can fully capture the heart of this event. The most emotional part of the weekend, for me, was Family Hour. During the final hours of the event, we heard the stories of families who have battled, and in too many cases, lost their children to cancer. The arena was packed with 18,000+, yet it felt like an intimate moment shared in grief, love, and solidarity.

The Celebration of Life video was devastating and beautiful all at once. Faces of children—ages five, seven, ten—filled the screens. Some were barely old enough to speak, others in the prime of childhood, taken far too soon. Their smiles, frozen in time, radiated a joy that cancer could never steal. I wept as my wife pointed out the names and pictures of babies who hadn’t even reached their second birthday.

There were few dry eyes in that arena. It was an incredibly moving and emotional moment that will remain with me forever.

As I reflect on the event, I think of the principles of The Life Is Too Short Guy (LITSG) and how they were so poignantly present in the arena:

• Can’t Make It Alone: THON is the very definition of community. Thousands come together—students, parents, survivors, and those who have lost—to share in the fight against childhood cancer. No one walks this path alone, and that truth was never more evident than in the embrace of grieving parents, in the roar of encouragement for those still fighting, in the silent tears we all shared together. During the Celebration of Life video, everyone in the arena put their arms around the person next to them and we collectively swayed slowly back and forth. This moment captures the essence of community like no other.
• Minutes Matter: Seeing the Celebration of Life video reinforced how precious every moment is. These children didn’t have the years many of us take for granted. Their time was measured in birthdays never reached, dreams left unfinished, and hugs parents long to give just one more time. If ever there was a reminder to cherish each moment, this was it.
• Live Today… Don’t Wait for Tomorrow: If these families taught us anything, it’s that tomorrow is never promised. The time to love, to give, to cherish those we hold dear is now. Seeing thousands stand in unity, not just in mourning but in determination to make a difference, reminded me how important it is to live fully today.

THON is about fighting for a future where no parent has to experience this pain. But it’s also about embracing the moments we do have. Celebrating the lives of these children, carrying their memories forward, and ensuring their stories fuel a relentless pursuit for a cure.

I left that arena physically exhausted, emotionally drained, and yet, somehow, inspired beyond words. Inspired by the families who turn their pain into purpose. Inspired by the students who pour their hearts into this cause. Inspired to live each day with the urgency, gratitude, and love that these children so beautifully embodied.

We can’t change the past, but we can shape the future. And as I reflect on the power of this community, I am more convinced than ever that we must embrace every moment, lift each other up, and never wait to make a difference.

FTK—For The Kids. For Today. For Always.

Live fully, love deeply, and make today the best day ever. 

Keynotes and Workshops: Bringing the LITSG Message to You and Those You Care About

In 2025, I’m continuing to deliver Life Is Too Short Guy keynotes and workshops for companies, teams, and conferences across the country. I recently spoke to a Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) chapter in New York.

If your group is looking for motivation, positivity, happiness, and gratefulness, I’d love to work with you. Let’s create a dynamic experience that inspires your team to embrace life and thrive. Reach out to discuss.

Warm regards,

Scott