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I made a vow to make a difference.
It should have been the time of my life. I was only 19 years old and lying in a hospital bed battling cancer for the second time in the span of four years. This horrible disease was taking away everything that was important to me. My friends, my baseball career and my college experience all seemed to be slipping away. I was tired and my muscles were weak. I made a commitment that day that if I got well, I would make a difference.
Eventually, my body healed and the vision of what I needed to do began to take shape. I visited Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times as a counselor. It is a special place for seriously ill children and their families. I immediately noticed that the kids were impressed that I, as a two-time cancer survivor, was able to go to college.
In speaking to the parents, I learned that college was virtually out of the question for most families dealing with this disease. Cancer takes an incredible toll on family finances. Procedures, treatments and medications are often not covered by insurance and can wipe out a family’s savings in no time. Big picture plans like college take a back seat to getting well.
During my senior year at the University of Southern California, I wrote a business plan for a non-profit corporation. I called it Cancer for College and the goal was to raise scholarship dollars to assist cancer survivors in reaching their goal of a college education.
In 1993, we held our first event. Twenty-four friends and family members got together to play some golf and we held a BBQ in our backyard. We gave one $500 scholarship and that’s how Cancer for College was born.
Over the years, through generous support and private donations, we have continued to grow. We now receive hundreds of heart-touching stories of perseverance from young cancer survivors who want to share in the college experience.
Last year, Cancer for College staged three fundraising events and awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships to cancer survivors and amputees.
Thank you for taking the time to review this publication. I hope you find it useful in sharing our story and that we will inspire you to help our amazing young people reach their dreams.
Thanks for your time,
Craig Pollard
Founder – Cancer for College
SPONSORS & DONORS
Alderson Family Foundation
Michael & Sharon Cafagna
Coldwell Banker
DeLine Wealth
Management
Global Tour Golf
Golf Cow
Golf Pride
David Lugliani
Bob & Gail Pollard
Pride Sports
Brian Schultz Memorial Foundation
Southern California PGA
The Source Mortgage
Symbient Product Development
Triton Systems
IN KIND DONATIONS
Angeles National
Golf Club
Arroyo Trabucco
Golf Club
BevMo
Bogey Pro
Brampton Technology
California Pizza Kitchen
Hal Clement - Channel 10 News
Chilis
Classic Club
CoopSport
Courtyard Marriot - Rancho Bernardo
Country Club of Rancho Bernardo
Disneyland
DoubleTree Golf Resort
Extreme Signs & Graphics
Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino
Gary Gray - JEEP
Green Keepers
Mike “The Hammer” Hendrickson
Henry’s Farmers Market
Herr Photography
Holiday Inn - Disneyland
Hornblower Cruises
In-N-Out Burger
Islands
Brian & Kristen Kaneko
Life Settlement Solutions
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Dodgers
Marriott Vacation Club
Nicholas Cole Cellars
Olive Garden
Pala Resort
Panda Express
Pechanga Resort & Casino
PGA West
Pirates Dinner Adventure
Rancho Bernardo Inn
Rawleys Portraits
Radison Hotel -
Rancho Bernardo
Ruby’s Diner
Robinson Printing & Creative Media
San Diego Padres
San Diego Zoo
Sea World
Six Flags
Magic Mountain
Souplantation
Southland Golf Magazine
Talega Golf Club
Tustin Ranch
Golf Club
Trader Joes
Wells Fargo Bank
PAST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Curtis Kosky - 1995 Winner
Nima Rambiee - 1996 Winner
Jerry Cervantes - 1997 Winner
Gary Anderson - 1998 Winner / Graduated from UCSB
Gary was diagnosed with lumphocytic leukemia when he was 3 years old. His sister Jennifer donated bone marrow in order to save his life. Gary received a four year $4,000 Cancer for College scholarship and graduated from UCSB in 2001.He volunteers his time to Cancer for College as a member of the Golf Committee, which helps plan and execute the annual tournament and auction. He has also volunteered his time to raise money for the local Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Lana Lam - 1999 Winner
Agi Glownia - 2000 Winner / Graduated from UCSD
Agi was our 2000 perpetual winner who was diagnosed with A.L.L. leukemia in 1991 when she was 11 years old and went thru 3 years of treatment. She graduated from UCSD with a BA degree in general biology in 2002. May 2008 she received her MBA. She is currently working and living in the San Diego area. We also thank her for her time spent on the Cancer for College golf tournament committee helping plan and execute the organizations largest fundraiser!
Alina Moeller - 2001 Winner
Lissa Corona - 2002 Winner
Victor Aviso - 2003 Winner
Benjamin Boyle - 2003 Winner
Brady Harrington - 2004 Winner
Diagnosed with aplastic anemia at 5 years old, which went in to mylodysplastic syndrome. Received bone marrow transplant at 8 years old, 2 years to recover. Maintained straight A's during college, had made Dean's List every year! Studied for degree in business finance.
Jonathon Chung - 2005 Winner
Karina Rocker - 2005 Winner / Graduated 2007
Diagnosis of an ependymoma brain tumor. Doctors told her parents she wouldn't make it to her 2nd birthday! Graduated in 2007 from Cal State Northridge with a BA in Deaf Studies with concentration in Language and Culture. She has AA degree in business administration.
Dean's list all semesters.
Kelly Purcell - 2005 Winner / Currently a senior at University of the Pacific
Diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma (muscle tumor in right forearm) -stage 4, January 2002. Now in her 4th year at University of the Pacific. She will be graduating in May 2009 with a degree in Communication, specifically Public Relations. President of her sorority, Delta Gamma Plans to move to Los Angeles after graduation to become an Event Coordinator
Stephanie Sackinoff - 2005 Winner / Attending University of San Diego
Diagnosed at 8 months old with aplastic anemia. Still goes to hospital every week for blood transfusion, eventually will need BMT when a match is found. Currently at the University of San Diego: Major: Bio Chem. Major for Pre Med. and involved with Sorority Alpha Chi omega. She does lots of studying.Traveled to Boston to check out med schools.
Michael Vanderby - 2005 Winner / Attending University of San Diego
He was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma (a rare cancer) in his left arm in December 2003. He was a junior in high school at the time and captain and setter of the varsity volleyball team. His younger brother Tommy (a freshman at the time) took over Mike’s position while he under went cancer treatment. When Mike returned the next year, both brothers led the Westview Varsity volleyball team to their first CIF championship. Michael received a 2005 perpetual scholarship, and is at USD majoring in Business with an accounting emphasis. He's received academic honors at USD and has stayed active in volleyball, fishing, tennis, snowboarding and traveling, just to name a few.
Jason Edwards - 2006 Winner / Attending UC Berkeley
Diagnosed with ALL Leukemia in April 2002, treated at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, currently in remission Studying American Studies and Economics at UC Berkeley. Active in youth support groups and received National Teen Leadership academic award. He is putting himself through college!
Kathryn Freeman - 2006 Winner / Attending San Diego State
Diagnosed with ALL Leukemia, Currently in remission
Student at San Diego State University, majoring in psychology
She is a very active young lady, with main focus right now being her health.
She is collecting stuffed animals for a children's charity.
Megan Hickey - 2006 Winner / Graduated from San Diego State 2008
Diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma 1987. Graduated from San Diego State University in May 2008 with my Bachelor's Degree in Public Health. Continuing education at The University of San Diego and is enrolled in the Master's Entry Program for Nursing. Her goal is to be eligible to take the nursing exam and have her degree by spring 2010. Volunteers for American Cancer Society when not at school or working.
Guy Mansfield - 2006 Winner / Attending Cal Lutheran University
Diagnosed with Philadelphia positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia August 2003. BMT at City of Hope March 2004, cancer free. Studying English, working toward teaching credential. Wants to be a high school teacher
Alison Richens - 2006 Winner / Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Diagnosed with acute lympholblastic leukemia August 2002, the start of her sophomore year in high school. Studying biological science, biotechnology. Received Gold Award in Girl Scouting. Member of National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Loves hiking & rock climbing around campus at Cal Poly. Enjoys oil painting, anything crafty
Travis Ricks - 2006 Winner / Attending University of Pretoria
Brian Gingrass - 2007 Winner/ Attending University of St. Augustine, San Marcos
Brian has the auspicious title of being the first CFC scholarship winner without cancer - this year, we added amputees to our list of recipients. Sustained injury, after four days of employment for local marine construction company, when a 5,000 lb piece of equipment fell from a crane and came crashing down on both legs. He received first a below the knee amputation but developed an infection in the hospital requiring an above knee amputation of his right leg. Just a few months after his injury, he was up and about on his prosthetics.
Studying Kinesiology plans to pursue graduate study at Cal State Dominguez Hills in prosthetics certification program. Despite amputation, Brian remains active, enjoying: resistance training, golf, swimming, running, hiking and fishing.
Robert Buie - 2007 Winner / Attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Niles Cook - 2007 Winner / Attending Whittier College
Caleb Dominguez - 2007 Winner / Attending Pepperdine University
Ashley Eakin - 2007 Winner / Attending San Diego State University
Currently a senior at San Diego State University. She is studying for a Journalism Major with a minor in Television, Film and New Media
