Tucker Haas, a Penn State senior, childhood cancer survivor, and Four Diamonds alum, was featured on Wednesday’s CBS Morning.
Haas was two years old when he was diagnosed with aggressive sarcoma. Twenty years after he became the son of the Four Diamonds and paired with the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Haas will dance for that fraternity at his THON 2023.
“Tucker Haas’ life has never been easy, but talking to him doesn’t tell you that,” said CBS correspondent Nancy Chen. I am fulfilled and now use my story to give hope to others.”
Haas told CBS he had four stints of cancer, two in his face and two in his right lung. He underwent 77 radiation treatments and hundreds of chemotherapy treatments. But thanks to THON-funded Four Diamonds, his family never saw the bill.
When asked what Penn State meant to him, Haas told Chen, “Penn State saved my life.”
This video shows Haas singing on stage with THON for the first time at the age of 9. Since then he has been very involved with THON.
He also shared memories with the ATO when he was treated, a fraternity brother driving with him for two hours, visiting him in the hospital, sending toys and gifts, etc. did. Haas has been cancer-free for nearly his 16 years.
The video pans to a scene where Haas is with 3-year-old Gus, a child of his fraternity Four Diamonds. Here he talks about how he sees himself in Gus.
As Chen and Haas sit outside Old Main, they surprise him with a visit from the five fraternity brothers who helped Haas on his childhood cancer journey.
“He inspires us all,” said one of the brothers. “Tucker brought us together.”
Haas isn’t sure a degree in sports management will translate into her future after graduation, but she certainly wants to continue to inspire others.
“There’s always light at the end of the tunnel,” Haas said. “I have cancer for a reason, and I’m at Penn State University for a reason.”
At the end of the video, Chen tells viewers that Haas has a goal of raising $500,000 for THON.
You can watch the full clip of CBS Morning here.
