Tucker Haas, a Penn State senior, childhood cancer survivor, and Four Diamonds alum, was featured on CBS Mornings on Wednesday.

Haas was two years old when he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of sarcoma. He became a Four Diamonds child and was paired with the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Now, two decades later, Haas will be dancing in THON 2023 for that very fraternity.

“Life for Tucker Haas has not been easy by any means, but you wouldn’t know that by speaking with him,” CBS correspondent Nancy Chen said. “Instead, he is filled with optimism and now using his story to give hope to others.”

Haas told CBS that he went through four stints of cancer — two in his face and two in his right lung. He went through 77 radiation treatments and hundreds of chemotherapy treatments, yet his family has never seen a bill thanks to Four Diamonds, which THON raises money for.

When asked what Penn State means to him, Haas told Chen, “Penn State saved my life.”

The video features a throwback to when Haas was nine years old, singing on stage at THON for the first time. He’s been heavily involved with THON ever since.

He also spoke of his memories with ATO when he went through treatment and how the fraternity brothers would drive two hours to hang out with him, visit him in the hospital, send toys and presents, and more. Haas has been cancer-free for nearly 16 years.

The video pans to a scene where Haas is with his fraternity’s very own Four Diamonds child, three-year-old Gus. Here, he talks about how he sees himself in Gus.

As Chen and Haas sit outside of Old Main, five fraternity brothers who helped Haas through his journey of childhood cancer surprise him with a visit.

“He’s an inspiration to all of us,” one of the brothers said. “Tucker was what brought us together.”

While Haas isn’t sure where his sports management degree will take him post-graduation, he’s certain that he wants to continue to inspire others.

“There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel,” Haas said. “I went through my journey with cancer for a reason, and I’m at Penn State for a reason.”

At the end of the video, Chen told viewers that Haas has a goal of raising half a million dollars for THON, making it an organizational record.

You can watch the full CBS Mornings clip here.

About the Author