A Long Time
Ago...
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 thousands of heart-touching stories of perseverance from young cancer survivors who want to share in the college experience.
Last year, Cancer for College staged five fundraising events and awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships to cancer survivors and amputees.
Thank you for taking the time to read about our mission. I hope that that we will inspire you to help our amazing young people reach their dreams.
Thanks for your time,
Craig Pollard
Founder – Cancer for College
Ago...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 thousands of heart-touching stories of perseverance from young cancer survivors who want to share in the college experience.
Last year, Cancer for College staged five fundraising events and awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships to cancer survivors and amputees.
Thank you for taking the time to read about our mission. I hope that that we will inspire you to help our amazing young people reach their dreams.
Thanks for your time,
Craig Pollard
Founder – Cancer for College
2012 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Cancer for
College Proudly Introduces our 2012 Scholarship Recipients
After receiving hundreds of applications from all 50 states, Cancer for College is proud to introduce its 2012 scholarship recipients.
While every candidate had an inspirational story of survival and we wish we could assist every applicant, the following individuals were selected by the scholarship committee.
2012 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Andrew McMillan - Big Creek, CA
Concordia University, Irvine - Freshman
Business-Law major, Leukemia survivor
Josh Weinstein - Irvine, CA
UC Berkeley - Freshman
Molecular Biology major, Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor
$4,000 One-Time Scholarship Recipients
Hannah Hughes - Rochester, MN
University of Minnesota Duluth - Freshman
Social Work major, Osteosarcoma survivor and amputee
Sydney Sheppard - Montgomery, AL
University of Alabama Birmingham - Freshman
Biomedical Engineering major, Osteosarcoma survivor and amputee
$2,000 One-Time Scholarship Recipients
Cara Antonaccio - Long Valley, NJ
Penn State University - Freshman
International Relations major, Osteosarcoma and Astrocytoma survivor
Scott Brookshire - San Francisco, CA
Academy of Art University, San Francisco - Sophomore
Web Design and New Media major, Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor
Joana McKeoun - Saginaw, MI
University of Michigan - Junior
English major, 2-time Brain cancer survivor
Jaclyn Clenney - New York, NY
Columbia University - Graduate Student
Mailman School of Public Health, Sarcoma survivor
Andrew Carpenter - Crown Point, IN
Wabash College - Sophomore
Undecided major, Leukemia survivor
$1,000 One-Time Scholarship Recipients
Andrew Dotzler - Jefferson City, MO
University of Missouri - Senior
Health Science major, Leukemia/Osteosarcoma survivor and amputee
Benjamin Magyar - Franklin, WI
Marquette University - Freshman
Nursing major, Ganglioglioma survivor
Jonathan Griesinger - Arvada, CO
University of Colorado, Denver - Freshman
Music Performance major, Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor
Odalys Castano - Secaucus, NJ
Rutgers University, New Brunswick - Freshman
Neuroscience major, Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor
Maeve Zolkowsk - Chicago, IL
University of Michigan - Freshman
Undecided major, Osteosarcoma survivor
Yosef Glaser - Baltimore, MD
Bais HaMedreash and Mesivta of Baltimore - Freshman
Talmudic Law major, Brain Cancer survivor
Kayli Hostetler - Orrville, OH
Malone University - Sophomore
Pre-Medicine major, 3-Time Ganglioneuroblastoma survivor
Eric Bonsignore - Rochester, NY
St. Bonaventure University - Freshman
Education major, Testicular cancer survivor
Ruby Wong - Kew Gardens, NY
University of Rochester - Freshman
Biology/Pre-Medicine major, Rhabdomyosarcoma survivor
Samuel Featherstone - Newburgh, IN
University of Evansville - Freshman
Neuroscience/Pre-Med major, Medulloblastoma survivor
Cody Pfiester - Lexington, KY
Georgia University - Freshman
Genetics major, Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor
Caleb Cole - Madison, WI
Carthage College - Freshman
Biology major, Leukemia survivor
Adrianna Oporto - Temecula, CA
Academy of Art University, San Francisco - Sophomore
Web Design and New Media major, Leukemia survivor
$500 One-Time Scholarship Recipients
Alan Hughes - San Jacinto, CA
Moreno Valley College - Sophomore
General Ed/Liberal Studies major, Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor
Michael Miyamoto - Walnut, CA
Mt. San Antonio College - Freshman
Architecture major, 3-Time Leukemia survivor
Matthew Alcantara - San Diego, CA
Mesa College - Freshman
Political Science major, Osteosarcoma survivor
2012 Pacific Northwest Scholarship Recipients
Scholarships benefit cancer survivors originally from or attending school in the states of Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho. Funds are generated from the annual Taste to Educate event in Seattle, Washington.
$2,500 One-Time Scholarship Recipients
Jimmy Fowkes - Lake Oswego, OR
Stanford University - Junior
Religious Studies/Philosophy major, 4-Time Medulloblastoma survivor
Robert Fowler III - Ridgefield, WA
Humboldt State University - Freshman
Biology major, Chiasmatic Glioma survivor
Samantha Loch - Everett, WA
Western Washington University - Freshman
Psychology major, Medulloblastoma survivor
Keith Tatham - Spokane, WA
University of Washington - Junior
Pre-Law major, Desmoplastic Sarcoma survivor
$1,000 One-Time Scholarship Recipient
Jessica Henry - Forks, WA
Washington State University - Freshman
Pre-Med/Bioengineering major, Myelodysplastic Syndrome survivor
$500 One-Time Scholarship Recipients
Bailey Barna - Salem, OR
Seattle Pacific University - Junior
Psychology major, Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor
Cody Kangiser - Hillsboro, OR
Oregon State University - Junior
Civil Construction Engineering major, Brain Cancer survivor
Andrea Tjemsland - Port Hadlock, WA
Olympic College - Freshman
Nursing major, 2-Time Wilms Tumor survivor
2012 Texas Scholarship Recipients
Scholarships benefit cancer survivors originally from or attending school in the state of Texas. Funds were generated from the Will Powered Golf Classic in Austin, Texas.
$3,000 One-Time Scholarship Recipient
Alexis Grothe - College Station, TX
Texas A&M University - Senior
Communication major, Papilary Carcinoma survivor
$2,000 One-Time Scholarship Recipients
Tate Martin - Tomball, TX
Texas Tech University - Freshman
Public Relations major, Testicular cancer survivor
Tabish Virani - Sugar Land, TX
Rice University - Freshman
Economics/Journalism major, Leukemia survivor
$1,500 One-Time Scholarship Recipients
Luis Carbajal - Houston, TX
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Sophomore
Chemical Engineering major, Osteosarcoma survivor and amputee
Joshua Dupont - Katy, TX
Louisiana State University - Junior
Business Management major, Thyroid Cancer survivor
Ryan Flores - Spring, TX
Abilene Christian University - Sophomore
Pre-Med major, Burkitt's Lymphoma survivor
Alec Gramann - Austin, TX
University of Massachusetts Amherst - Senior
Chemical Engineering major, Ewing's Sarcoma survivor
Haelee Horne - Cedar Park, TX
Texas A&M University - Junior
Biology major, Chondrosarcoma survivor
Caroline Jerome - Keller, TX
Baylor University - Freshman
Pre-Medicine major, Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor
Alyssa Minwell - Georgetown, TX
University of Texas San Antonio - Freshman
Engineering/Business Admin. major
Pilocytic Astrocytoma/Optic Glioma survivor
Susan Schmitt - Justin, TX
Texas Women's University - Graduate School
Women's Studies, Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor
$1,000 One-Time Scholarship Recipients
Ethan Funkhouser - Plano, TX
Austin College - Freshman
Neuroscience/Pre-Med major, Leukemia survivor
Emily Garcia - Lake Jackson, TX
UNT - Sophomore
Film Production major, Osteosarcoma survivor and amputee
Caitlin Mayer - San Antonio, TX
Texas A&M University - Freshman
Interdisciplinary Studies, Ewing's Sarcoma survivor
$500 One-Time Scholarship Recipients
Keenan Godburn - Richardson, TX
Richland College - Sophomore
Pre-Medicine major, Melanoma Tumor survivor
Carolina Gonzales - Rosenberg, TX
Wharton County Junior College - Sophomore
Communication major, Small Cell Carcinoma survivor
2012 Carolinas Scholarship Recipients
Scholarships benefit cancer survivors originally from or attending school in the states of South and North Carolina. Funds are generated from the annual Casino Night in the Carolinas event in Charlotte, North Carolina.
$3,000 One-Time Scholarship Recipients
Joshua Finney - Huntersville, NC
Elizabeth City State University - Senior
Political Science major, Leukemia survivor
Marquis Martin - , North Agusta, SC
University of Alabama, Hunstville - Freshman
Aerospace Engineering major, Osteosarcoma survivor
Sarah McNeil - Hickory, NC
Wingate University - Freshman
Child Life Specialist, Osteosarcoma survivor
$2,000 One-Time Scholarship Recipients
Maggie Brilhart - Columbia, SC
University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy - Graduate School
Pharmacy, Melanoma survivor
Ashley Green - Smithfield, NC
Campbell University - Graduate School
Physician Assistant, Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor
Jordan Lewis - Cary, NC
Oral Roberts University - Senior
International Business major, Sinus Cancer survivor
Stephanie Lipscomb - Seneca, SC
University of South Carolina Upstate - Junior
Nursing major, Brain Cancer survivor
$1,000 One-Time Scholarship Recipients
Michelle Cone - Durham, NC
Harvard University - Sophomore
Physics major, Osteosarcoma survivor
Jessica Czarnecki - Wilmington, NC
UNC Wilmington - Senior
Physical Oceanography major, Thyroid Cancer survivor
Gabe Dunsmith - Arden, NC
Vassar College - Sophomore
Environmental Studies major, Thyroid Cancer survivor
Jessica Grazen - Cary, NC
Franciscan University - Junior
Clinical Psychology major, Osteosarcoma survivor
Casey Kukielski - Charlotte, NC
Clemson University - Junior
Bioengineering major, Testicular Cancer survivor
Alexander Lasek - Greensboro, NC
NC State University - Junior
Civil Engineering major, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor
Justin New - Raleigh, NC
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill - Freshman
Pre-Medicine major, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor
Mary Sweatt - Chesterfield, SC
University of South Carolina-Beaufort - Freshman
Early Childhood Education major, Leukemia survivor
Logan White - Wilmington, NC
UNC Wilmington - Graduate School
Nonprofit Administration, Colon Cancer survivor
