Meet Sophia
2026 Stewart Scholar
Leukemia 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.
Sophia was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) when she was three years old.
“What I remember from three years of treatment was living in the hospital for long periods of time and so many needles constantly poking me. It was awful,” she told us, adding that the art room at the children’s hospital was the “one bright spot.”
Although her memories as a young child in treatment are fuzzy, the experience motivated her to pursue a career in medical research. As a high school senior, she designed and executed a study on language development in toddlers.
Today, Sophia is studying neuroscience and psychology at Duke University and continuing to conduct children’s research.
Sophia’s Advocacy Project
As our 2026 Stewart Scholar, Sophia is planning a “Stuff-a-Bear” campaign for pediatric oncology patients at Johns Hopkins, in coordination with their child life team. She plans to utilizer her network at Duke to fundraise for the project and, in the process, spread awareness about childhood cancer on campus.
The stuffed bears are designed to provide comfort during treatment and be distributed during high-stress moments like post-surgery.
Providing comfort to young patients is personal to Sophia because of her own experience and also because her younger brother is battling a low grade glioma in his optic pathway.
“Witnessing my brother endure the same harsh side effects I once did has fueled my passion for advocacy,” says Sophia. “I understand that while medicine saves lives, empahy and human connection are also needed. I want to ensure that no child is known just as a ‘cancer kid’ but instead as a fighter and survivor with a community in their corner.”
