Meet Eva, 2025 Scholar

Thanks to a generous survivorship program grant from Hyundai Hope On Wheels, twenty-two survivors were welcomed into the 2025 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.

“I would like to thank Children’s Cancer Cause and Hyundai Hope on Wheels for the work you do to advocate for those who have experienced childhood cancer. I benefitted from your advocacy and those of others. I look forward to having an opportunity to pay forward the benefits I received by advocating for others in the future.”

Eva’s Story

“My world changed when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in my junior year of high school after feeling an enlarged lymph node in my neck.”

Eva would spend the next six months receiving chemotherapy, which she completed over summer break. By the time senior year rolled around, Eva had no detectable cancer!

She credits her amazing team of doctors, nurses, and family for giving her the strength to push through the grueling months of painful treatments, and she’s grateful to her school and teachers for granting her enough options and flexibility to stay on track with coursework and finish junior year on time.

Eva was also able to continue her biggest passion during treatment: riding horses. She was even able to compete in national equestrian competitions, thanks to supportive coaches, family, and friends.

“Riding horses helped me overcome the mental challenges of cancer. As a result, one of my goals is to help others undergoing challenging life situations through equine-assisted therapy,” she says. She’ll continue her equestrian career at college and hopes to earn a certification on equite facilitated leadership.

“I observed that some children with cancer have amazing support and resources while others do not,” she told us, explaining that her experience has inspired her to pursue a career in public policy.

“I hope to contribute to a world where all children with cancer benefit from the best cures, support, and resources.”

Eva’s Advocacy Project

For her volunteer project, Eva plans to start a cancer support and advocacy group this fall at her university, Sweet Briar College.

She’ll start by meeting with other cancer survivors and faculty members to gauge interest and conduct a needs assessment to determine the most impactful activities the group should take on to raise awareness and advocate for cancer survivors.

One of Eva’s top goals for the group is to host a campus health fair that focuses on cancer risk factors and screening. She hopes to educate other college students about warning signs for the most common young adult cancers, how to reduce risk, and community health resources that can help with screening. She hopes to involve faculty members who are conducting research and can share information about new and emerging therapies.

“Through these activities, I hope to raise awareness among my peers who have not had experiences with cancer, support my peers who are in the middle of their cancer journey, and inspire some to research mechanisms and therapies alongside our faculty,” she says.