Meet Aiden
2026 Scholar
Osteosarcoma Survivor
Thanks to a generous survivorship program grant from Hyundai Hope On Wheels, twenty-three survivors were welcomed into the 2026 Children’s Cancer Cause College Scholars Program, representing both organizations’ strong investment in survivors and belief in their bright futures.
Each of these students receive a financial scholarship to help with academic expenses, and each Scholar commits to undertaking a volunteer project of their choosing related to childhood cancer advocacy.
During his junior year of high school, Aiden went in for an x-ray after weeks of increasing pain in his right arm. He figured it was just a strain.
The x-ray revealed a tumor: osteosarcoma. His treatment consisted of aggressive chemotherapy and a limb salvage surgery. Side effects from chemo included intense nausea and vomiting, extreme fatigue, days where he couldn’t walk, painful mouth sores, and the loss of his hair.
“Going through cancer was tough, both physically and emotionally, but it inspired me to help others facing the same struggles,” Aiden told us. “In sharing my story and helping others learn about osteosarcoma and what long-term recovery is really like, I learned how sharing personal stories can help others understand and care more.”
Today, Aiden is studying computer science at Louisiana State University.
Aiden’s Advocacy Project
For his scholarship project, Aiden plans to develop Connected Courage, a secure and youth-friendly digital platform designed to support childhood cancer patients and survivors. The project will focus on helping young patients better understand treatment and survivorship while also teaching important online safety skills, such as recognizing scams, protecting personal information, and staying safe on social media.
“This project is meaningful to me because technology was my lifeline throughout treatment. Technology allowed me to stay connected to friends, keep up with schoolwork, and feel less alone,” Aiden says. “At the same time, I know firsthand how vulnerable young patients can be online, especially when they are emotionally overwhelmed or searching for distraction. As a computer science and cybersecurity student, I now understand how important digital safety is for kids who are already navigating so much.”
In addition to the website, Aiden plans to create short cybersecurity workshops and encouragement cards that combine emotional support with practical digital safety reminders. Over the course of the project, he will research, design, test, and refine these resources while gathering feedback from families and specialists. His ultimate goal is to create a scalable support system that improves both emotional well-being and digital safety for childhood cancer patients and survivors.
