Meet the 2022 Class of our College Scholars Program
We are so excited to introduce you to the eight childhood cancer survivors who are this year’s recipients of our college scholarships — a record number of students for this Children’s Cancer Cause program!
Each student welcomed into this year’s program has demonstrated impressive academic achievements and a commitment to cancer volunteerism and advocacy. The 2022 College Scholars receive a financial scholarship to help with academic expenses and gain valuable experience by undertaking a volunteer project of their choosing related to childhood cancer advocacy, with support and mentorship from the Children's Cancer Cause team.
Read on to learn more about the scholars and their projects!
The 2022 Stewart Scholar
In another first for the program, we have introduced the Stewart Scholarship, a new top award level of $4,000, which is double our previous top scholarships. This Stewart Scholarship is 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 the Children’s Cancer Cause Stewart Initiative for Childhood Cancer Survivors. This scholarship was made possible thanks to the generosity of donors who contributed in John’s honor and memory after his passing in the fall of 2021. Thank you!
We are thrilled to introduce you to the inaugural Stewart Scholar: Francesca Olguin. Francesca is a native of Phoenix, Arizona, who plans to begin medical school this fall at Stanford University. She was diagnosed with thyroid cancer when she was 15 years old, a life-changing experience that inspired her to pursue a career in medicine with a goal of one day becoming a pediatric oncologist with own research lab.
By age 16, Francesca was interning with the Translational Genomics Research Institute in Phoenix. She now has laboratory experience studying esophageal cancer, breast cancer, and Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She is particularly interested in novel treatments, cancer vaccines, and prevention techniques.
“Each of these opportunities has given me a glimpse of the promising future of cancer treatments,” Francesca said. “I am really grateful for the passion [my cancer experience] has given me toward helping others through similar battles.”
For her College Scholars project, Francesca will host a campus bone marrow drive during the 2022-2023 academic year. While shadowing oncologists in her studies, Francesca witnessed how difficult it can be to find bone marrow donors “and how waiting to find a donor can worsen prognoses.” In advance of the drive, she plans to interview Stanford doctors and researchers to create a promotional and educational video about marrow donation, with a specific focus on busting myths and reducing unwarranted fears that prevent people from joining the marrow registry.
“My goal is to sign more young people up for the bone marrow registry. Since the most successful donations come from donors aged 18-35, students are the critical donor population I would like to target,” she said. “I want to spread the word about the kind of impact that marrow donation can have on cancer patients, particularly pediatric cancer patients.”
The 2022 Gold, Silver, and Bronze Scholars
“Cancer is one of the biggest obstacles a person can face. I am who I am today because of my past. I feel confident that I am capable of handling whatever life throws at me.”
These scholarships are made possible thanks to the generosity of the Stewart family, The Cox Charities Community Grant Program, Walmart, CSX Transportation, and the Children’s Cancer Cause Scholar Boosters.. Help us keep this program going by becoming a Scholar Booster!
Meet the recipients:
Click on their hyperlinked name to learn more.
Gold Scholar Carly DeMartino of Granby, Connecticut, was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was 10 years old. Today, she is an honor student and high school yearbook editor, and she sits on the AYA Advisory Council at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. For her volunteer project, she plans to create a database of college scholarships available to cancer survivors in Connecticut, to help others achieve their college dreams.
Gold Scholar Andrew Hedberg of Old Lyme, Connecticut, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma when he was seven years old, undergoing a complicated limb salvage surgery and a full year of learning to walk again. Today, Andrew is an honor student, a student representative to the local Board of Education, and an ambassador/spokesperson for multiple cancer nonprofits. He plans to study mechanical engineering at Northeastern University in Boston. For his volunteer project, Andrew plans to give motivational speeches about his cancer journey and create an online resource focused on pediatric osteosarcoma.
Silver Scholar Brennan Cheladyn of Brighton, Michigan, was diagnosed with a rare type of Hodgkin lymphoma when he was 14. An honor student who has served as Class President all four years of high school, he plans to study molecular biology in college. Brennan’s particular cancer interest is prevention, so he is focusing his volunteer project on researching and raising awareness around the possible toxic risks of crumb rubber used in turf fields. As a soccer player, he wants to spread awareness about how other players can limit exposure, such as removing shoes/cleats in the house and practicing proper hygiene after playing on turf fields.
Silver Scholar Connor Lint of Helotes, Texas, was diagnosed with a brainstem glioma when he was three years old. He is an active community volunteer with plans to study architecture in college. Connor’s intensive brain cancer treatments as a young child left him with significant learning challenges in grade school. For his volunteer project, he wants to create an awareness video aimed at educators about the learning difficulties that students like him face, introducing them to “non-traditional” teaching methods such as music therapy and vision therapy that worked well for him.
Bronze Scholar Shamari Brazile of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma when she was 13 years old. She is an honor student, field hockey captain, yearbook editor, and active member of the Black Student Union. She plans to study International Affairs at The George Washington University. For her scholarship volunteer project, Shamari wants to create a peer tutor program through her school district, to ensure that future students with cancer have a “buddy” to help with schoolwork and maintaining connections to the classroom during treatment.
Bronze Scholar Preston Kilzer of Parker, Colorado, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma at age five. He has volunteered extensively with a number of cancer organizations and is currently a freshman with a 4.0 GPA at Purdue University, where he is studying Nuclear Engineering. For his scholarship project, Preston plans to spread awareness through music by creating a new song in honor and memory of a childhood friend who passed away after a neuroblastoma relapse.
Bronze Scholar Spencer Shores of Phoenix, Arizona, is a two-time survivor of Ewing’s Sarcoma, first diagnosed at age four. Relapse at age six required the complete removal of one eye, which first inspired his interest in engineering -- specifically vision prosthetics. For his advocacy project, Spencer plans to lead a letter-writing campaign to the Governor of Arizona, requesting a proclamation recognizing September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
This is the fifth year of our College Scholars Program, which has now awarded scholarships to 26 deserving and inspiring young people. Alumni of the Children’s Cancer Cause College Scholars Program have gone on to become medical students studying pediatric oncology, clinical trial researchers, and candidates for local public office.
We can’t wait to see what these survivors achieve, and we are honored to be a part of their story as they pursue their dreams and change the world!
If you’re interested in applying for next year’s scholarship program, fill out the interest form here and you’ll be among the first to be notified when the 2023 application is available.