This page often provides space for criticism or debate, but every once in a while there’s a story we come across that simply deserves praise.

In Friday’s Eagle, we ran a story on a Cranberry Township native who got involved with a great organization during his time at Seneca Valley High School — he graduated from the school two years ago — and has continued the effort during his time at Pennsylvania State University.

Michael Warchola became involved with THON — a Penn State student-run organization that provides financial and emotional support for families dealing with childhood cancer — seven years ago when his older sister became a THON dancer wellness captain of morale for a 2014 marathon.

With more than 16,500 student volunteers, THON is the largest philanthropy organization operated by students in the world. It raises money — last year, it brought in $11.7 million — for Four Diamonds at Penn State Children’s Hospital and awareness for childhood cancer, and its annual efforts culminate with a February dance marathon that runs for 46 hours, during which participants cannot sit or sleep.

According to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, approximately 15,780 children, from infants to age 19, are diagnosed with cancer each year. About one in 285 children in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer before they reach the age of 20.

Although the survival rate for children who have cancer has improved significantly over the years, studies have shown that the number of diagnosed cases per year has not declined in nearly two decades.

“Childhood cancer has not disappeared,” Warchola said. “It is our mission to continue supporting the families (of children diagnosed with cancer) in the safest way possible.”

We are glad to see a county native combining his area of interest — Warchola told the Eagle that he’s interested in advertising and public relations as a career — with such a worthy cause.

At a time when newspapers are often filled with gloomy updates on the COVID-19 toll and bickering between the nation’s political parties, it is great to see a story about someone local doing something great.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question: What are you doing for others?”

It’s wonderful to see a county native provide an answer to that question.

— NCD