Meet Zachary, 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.

Zachary’s Story

“Nearing the end of my junior year I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma that had spread throughout my neck and mouth area,” Zachary told us.

He began chemo the next week, undergoing a series of treatments that caused weight loss, hair loss, sickness, nausea, fatigue, and other side effects.

Then his last treatment came around, and he rang the bell in celebration, looking forward to improved health and putting cancer behind him.

“However, upon post-treatment scanning, I was hit with another separate diagnosis of Medullary Thyroid Cancer,” he shared. “In the following months, I had my thyroid removed and was later put on oral chemotherapy to which I am still on to this day.”

“It was difficult to be a young cancer patient, not being able to enjoy the same privileges as others who were healthy but I learned a lot - mostly that life should not be taken for granted.”

Zachary has been attending community college with plans to transfer in the coming school year with an intended major of international business.

Zachary’s Advocacy Project

For Zachary’s volunteer project, he plans to create a YouTube channel about cancer survivorship. He plans to share stories from survivors to raise awareness and “educate those out there who may not know the battles and experiences someone with cancer will face.”

Zachary plans to start with his own story about his experience with cancer and how it has impacted him physically, mentally and emotionally.

“I want to share about how learning an instrument was a good coping mechanism to battle this disease that was taking over my life and how it distracted me and focused my energy into something positive,” he says, as an example.

He’ll then feature the stories of other survivors, in an effort to create a space that inspires and educates.

We will update this space when Zachary’s YouTube channel is available.