Meet Molly
2026 Scholar
Blood Cancer 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.

“Because both my brother and I were diagnosed with the same rare blood cancer, our story became a way to educate others and encourage support for families facing similar battles.”
A colorful graphic with a thank you message for supporters of Hope Kids and Hopeland, featuring a stylized hand with colored finger segments.

When Molly was just two years old, she was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Monosomy 7, an extremely rare form of blood cancer.

Molly’s older brother had been diagnosed with the same disease four years earlier — which is why her parents had been watching so diligently and knew to get her tested quickly at the first sight of bruising.

“Once diagnosed, everything moved very quickly,” Molly told us.

The toddler’s treatment included a bone marrow transplant, followed by a 70-day hospitalization. During that time, she experienced serious complications, including pneumonia and fluid around her heart.

Now Molly has been cancer-free for over 14 years but still deals with lingering late effects from treatment that continue to shape her daily life.

She is planning to attend Minnesota State University and major in Child Development and Family Studies.

Molly’s Advocacy Project

Molly is passionate about photography and storytelling. As a College Scholar, she plans to volunteer as a photographer for pediatric cancer charity events and offer sessions to local families impacted by childhood cancer. To support awareness efforts, she’ll invite these families to have their photos shared publicly with a message of reflection.

“Photography has become a way for me to give back using something I genuinely love,” says Molly. “During my own childhood, photos helped my family hold onto moments of joy and normalcy when everything else felt uncertain. Being able to offer that to other families now feels full-circle.”