Meet the 2025 Class of the Children’s Cancer Cause College Scholars Program
Children’s Cancer Cause is thrilled to award a record number of childhood cancer survivors with college scholarships this year. Thanks to a generous survivorship program grant from Hyundai Hope On Wheels, the following twenty-two survivors were welcomed into the 2025 College Scholars Program, representing both organizations’ strong investment in survivors and belief in their bright futures.
This is the eighth year of the Children’s Cancer Cause College Scholars Program, which has now provided 68 childhood cancer survivors with financial scholarships to help with academic expenses, plus the opportunity to gain valuable leadership skills. Each Scholar completes a volunteer project of their choosing related to childhood cancer advocacy, with support and mentorship from Children’s Cancer Cause.
Congratulations to each of these very deserving and inspiring young people!
2025 Stewart Scholar: Dustin
Dustin was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) at age 17, his senior year of high school. He’ll finish up treatment this summer, which will include port removal and hip surgery, before heading to Northwestern University to study computer science and mathematics.
“My experience with cancer has deeply shaped my perspective and fueled my passion for research,” Dustin told us. "While undergoing treatment at Boston Children's Hospital, I started studying calculus. Learning about linear approximation sparked my idea of using it to predict blood cell counts.”
During his term as our Stewart Scholar, Dustin will work to advance a research project focused on improving the quality of survivorship for children with T-ALL by developing a predictive model for blood cell counts during maintenance chemotherapy. As of May 2025, Dustin is preparing a research paper for publication and finalizing a user-friendly software tool for doctors to collect and analyze patient blood data.
“My ultimate goal is to help ensure that future cancer survivors can live full and healthier lives. Survivorship can and should be a time of thriving, not just surviving.”
The Stewart Scholarship is our top academic scholarship award, presented to a survivor who demonstrates exceptional potential to make a positive difference in the world. It is named in honor of John and Nancy Stewart, founders of our Stewart Initiative for Childhood Cancer Survivors.
Gold Scholar: Alayna
Alayna was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at 17, just before her senior year of high school. She was declared cancer-free in February of her senior year and graduated high school on time, with honors. She enrolled in nursing school but her studies were interrupted by a relapse.
“Despite this setback, I remained committed to my education, continuing part-time studies while undergoing a bone marrow transplant and radiation. My determination to become a healthcare professional remains unwavering,” she says.
Today, she’s working toward finishing her nursing studies at Monmouth University, while she also continues to manage her own cancer charity foundation.
Gold Scholar: Grace
Shortly after her seventh birthday, Grace was diagnosed with Stage IV Lymphoblastic Lymphoma, T-cell, a rare form of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer.
Grace would spend the next three and a half years on chemo, at one point taking up to 25 pills every day. She received a total of 33 spinal taps and spent a lot of time in the hospital. She lost her hair five times.
Grace founded a nonprofit that donates clothes, food, and care packages to vulnerable youth like homeless or hospitalized children. Today, Grace continues to run her nonprofit while studying political science at Howard University.
Gold Scholar: Devan
Diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia when he was 20 months old - and again when he relapsed at age four - Devan is acutely aware that his survival was possible only because he was treated at a top research hospital in the U.S. with access to groundbreaking care.
Devan was born in Colombia, where the survival rate for many cancers is much lower than in the U.S. “I owe my life to modern medicine, and crucially, access to medicine.”
In fall of 2024, he began studying Biophysics and Global Health & Health Policy at Harvard University. Driven by his own experience and understanding of global health inequities, Devan is serving as the U.S. Outreach Director for Ukraine’s largest children’s cancer charity,
Silver Scholar: Emma
Rhabdomyosarcoma survivor
“Cancer was my childhood and it controlled my life but now I stand as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. This year I will celebrate my 10th year being cancer-free, and I am looking forward to using the determination and strength gained during my fight to make my future a bright success.”
Silver Scholar: Bailey
Neuroblastoma survivor
“Having survived cancer twice—first as a baby and again as a teenager—I have witnessed firsthand the fragility of life and the courage required to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.”
Silver Scholar: Maurquez
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivor
“Who would have imagined I’d be at Stanford today? My cancer journey is a testament that sometimes life becomes challenging, however, if we embrace uncertainty and remain resilient, we will be able to tackle any challenges that lie ahead.”
Silver Scholar: Eva
Hodgkin lymphoma survivor
“Some children with cancer have amazing support and resources - while others do not. I hope to contribute to a world where all children with cancer benefit from the best cures, support and resources.”
Silver Scholar: Adeline
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivor
“My cancer journey has been long and difficult, but I have persevered. As I approach college and adulthood, I am excited for what the future holds.”
Silver Scholar: Jason
Hodgkin lymphoma survivor
“This has been one of the hardest times in my life, but I’ve drawn on reserves I didn’t know I had and I’m learning to cope with all that’s entailed with this journey.”
Silver Scholar: Olivia
Wilms tumor survivor
“While my fight will likely extend through my life, I choose not to let cancer define me. Instead, I use it as a medium for action: my experiences in the hospital have fostered within me an innate passion for biomedical research.”
Silver Scholar: Baylin
Ewing's sarcoma survivor
“Going through treatment forced me to confront who I truly was in the face of life and death. It stripped away the noise and made me see myself in a way I never had before.”
Click a photo below to meet our bronze scholars:
