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Scholars & Impact

The Need is Great

Facts that Drive Us

  • More than 15,000 children face a cancer diagnosis this year, with 1/3 aged 15-19.
  • 1 in 5 diagnosed children are living in poverty.
  • 30% of diagnosed children lack an oncologist within 60 miles.
  • Average hospital stay costs for a child with cancer: $40,000; total diagnosis cost: $833,000.
  • Indirect costs during treatment can be significant for travel, meals, accommodation, and childcare for siblings.
  • 94% of parents caring for a child with cancer make work-related sacrifices.
  • 36% of families dealing with cancer lose 40% or more of their annual income.
  • Over 66% of pediatric cancer survivors in the U.S. face ongoing medical expenses.

About Our Scholars

Transforming Challenges into Triumphs

  • 98% of our scholars graduate, exceeding the national average of 57%.
  • 1 in 3 scholars is the first in their family to attend college.
  • Scholars have an average family income of $49,000 per year.
  • Post-cancer, more than 80% express a desire to give back through their chosen career path.
  • Scholars maintain an impressive average GPA of 3.78.
  • CFC scholars work as social media interns, contributing to the success of events and campaigns.
  • Top fundraisers are invited to a leadership conference at Disneyland, bonding with fellow young survivors.
  • 56% of scholars plan careers in nursing, the medical field, therapy, research, or social work.
  • In 2023, for our 30th Anniversary, CFC scholars raised more than $85,000 for fellow survivors, funding 17 additional scholarships.

At Cancer for College, our scholars redefine triumph over adversity, and your support makes these stories possible. Join us in celebrating the resilience, achievements, and impact of our extraordinary community.

Scholar Stories

Get To Know CFC Scholars

Scholar Testimonials

"Cancer for College was there for me in a way I never knew I needed. Not only did they give my family and me financial help, but they also gave me some incredible friends and resources that I absolutely needed when I was going through my treatment and recovery. This organization really, really, really does change lives."

Molly Oldham2x Brain Cancer Survivor & CFC scholar

“CFC has had such a big impact on my life so far…I’ve already been able to build such a great relationship with the Old Family [my scholarship sponsors], and they have just been so invested in wanting to learn more about who I am as a person. Learning about that community with Cancer for College has been really awesome.”

Maggie ConlonOld Family Scholar and Rhabdomyosarcoma Survivor

"I would say in terms of how Cancer for College has impacted me, it goes way beyond the scholarships. They offer mentor groups that I’ve really benefitted from and helped me get my dream job out of college….Cancer for College really gave me that hope and sense of purpose and meaning in my life, and to just be a part of a family, really."

Sana MoezziLymphoma Survivor and USD Graduate

"Cancer puts a strain on your body, a strain on your mind, a strain on your finances. So it was really nice to have something like Cancer for College, that kind of got rid of one of those strains for me. Because of Cancer for College, I’ve had a lot of opportunities in school that I wouldn’t have had otherwise."

Alex KlugLeukemia Survivor and Physics Major

"I have a single mom who had to pay for medical bills on her own, so it was also rewarding that I could give her that great news [that I had received a scholarship], and it was just really emotional for the both of us. I truly appreciate it, and coming from complete strangers, yet again, just shows how wonderful some people in the world are."

Haley SpearsNursing Student and Lymphoma Survivor

Donate to the Cause.

Sure, we love big donations.
But we love small, thoughtful ones, too.
Every dollar puts deserving cancer survivors closer to realizing their dreams.

Donate

Apply for a Scholarship.

A fast and easy process.
Because you’ve been through enough challenges. Share your story, make your case and we’ll do our best to help.

Apply

Volunteer Your Time.

It takes more than money.
So we’re always looking for enthusiastic, caring volunteers to help with events, planning & behind the scenes work.

Volunteer