Meet Maurquez: 2023, 2025, and 2026 Scholar

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.

Pictured below is a young Maurquez at a 2013 Hyundai Hope on Wheels handprint event.

Maurquez’s Story

Maurquez was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) when he was six years old.

“As a result of the chemotherapy and treatment, I experienced blindness, seizures, hypertension, and memory loss,” he told us. “I also missed the early years of elementary school, as I had an immunocompromised body. There were times when I felt despair because I had to miss school and had to remain indoors. Through it all, I remained determined and  courageous, as I strived to be back outside with my family and back in school with my friends.”

"Through every hardship, my mother remained my anchor," Maurquez said, sharing that it was her insistence on a second opinion that led to his diagnosis initially. "Her concern, intuition, and unwavering encouragement are the reasons I am alive today. Had she not trusted her instincts, my diagnosis may never have been caught in time. I owe her everything, and her strength continues to fuel me."

Maurquez has overcome tremendous adversity and carries a deep passion for serving his community and fighting for justice. A first-generation college student, he graduated as one of four valedictorians in his high school class and now studies at Stanford University, where he is majoring in Political Science. He aspires to become an attorney dedicated to helping marginalized individuals who cannot afford effective legal counsel. Working toward that goal, he has interned at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee and at a medium-sized law firm, while also volunteering with a local juvenile court program.

Maurquez’s Advocacy Projects

For his 2023 project, Maurquez volunteered to help other cancer survivors and families navigate the college admissions process and find scholarships. He started by creating a scholarship list of resources, and he’s presented to local high school students about the college admissions process.

“Many survivors face unique challenges—whether that be academic or financial - both making the transition to higher education more difficult,” Maurquez told us. “Through this initiative, I worked closely with high school counselors to provide tailored guidance to cancer survivors and their families.”

As a 2025 Children's Cancer Cause Scholar, Maurquez hosted a Zoom session for childhood cancer families who are beginning to navigate the college admissions and scholarship process, and he’s also hosting a community blood drive on campus.

“I am eager to use my position and experiences to make a difference for those who have been impacted by cancer.”

As a 2026 Scholar, Maurquez plans to volunteer at the Stanford Ronald McDonald House in the summer, compile a curated scholarship resource list, and donate snacks to patients and families at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.

“These projects are rooted in the gaps I witnessed firsthand as a childhood cancer survivor,” says Maurquez. “I understand the significance of finding humanity and relief in the simplest of things, and I want to offer that to other families walking the same road.”