Meet William, 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.
William’s Story
When William was four, he began to experience joint pain, fevers, and fatigue. He started throwing up often and didn’t have the energy to run around with other kids. He would cry when his parents lifted him up because it hurt his shoulders.
“After weeks of desperate doctor visits, I was diagnosed with precursor B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia,” he shared with us. “I spent the whole week in the hospital, where we learned about the three and a half years of treatment to come. My family was relieved to hear that although the journey would be long, my prognosis was good.”
His lengthy treatment would include countless port infusions, spinal taps, blood transfusions, and oral medications. He was unable to fight off infections and any illness posed great threat to his immunocompromised system. “I remember the long nights spent in the Emergency Room after waking up with fevers and quickly rushing to the hospital.”
“Interestingly enough,” he says, “I don’t remember this as being an awful time. In fact, it feels more like a side note of my childhood. I simply endured cancer like my braces and food allergies. I think I feel this way because of everything my family did to help me have fun along the way. I was never made to feel sick or weak.”
“I remember just wanting to feel like a normal kid. I still went to school when my body was strong enough, I just wore a mask and washed my hands more than others. I still had playdates and did art projects. I loved to create new recipes and build Legos. I think this approach of deciding that the cancer was going to be a side story instead of the main plot, really helped me through.”
Since finishing treatment at age seven and a half, he’s been healthy and cancer-free.
“Although the memories I have of my diagnosis, sickness, and treatment are scattered, I know that those years formed a lot of the resilience and perseverance I possess today,” says William. “I know that I can endure any challenge and make difficult times as bright as they can be. I strive to use my experience to become the best version of myself.”
Today he’s studying computer science at Gustavus Adolphus College.
William’s Advocacy Project
One of William’s biggest passions is healthy eating. He’s been a volunteer with community farms specializing in growing organic produce for people in need.
“Something that helped me through my cancer treatment was eating healthy. It gave me energy and strength but also made me feel like I had a role in my treatment and healing process. Feeling powerless can be crushing, especially when you’re young,” he told us.
For his advocacy project, William wants to empower other kids and families facing childhood cancer by creating a digital recipe book of low-glycemic, nutrient-dense, kid-friendly meals.
“The recipes included would be accessible and simple, because changing habits can be overwhelming. I want to include ingredients that are common, inexpensive, and accessible to all populations,” William says. “Most importantly, I intend to include recipes and explanations that are fun for kids, so other children experiencing childhood cancer can feel the same power over their health that I did.”
William also plans to pair his recipes with information that explains what makes each one healthy and nutritious for young bodies fighting cancer. We will update this space when William’s book is ready!