Press Release

CancerCare^® Young Professionals Committee Announces Final Scholarship Winner for 2020-2021 Academic Year

CancerCare, the leading national nonprofit organization providing free, professional support services to anyone affected by cancer, is excited to announce the final recipient of the Young Professionals Committee scholarship for the 2020-2021 academic year.

The final scholarship recipient for this academic year, Lauren Colucci, is from Collegeville, PA, and lost her father to Glioblastoma Multiforme. She is currently a junior at the University of Maryland studying Animal Science Pre-Professional and planning to become a veterinarian. She is also the President of the University of Maryland Equestrian Team.

Lauren joins previous award recipients Merit Edosa of the Bronx, NY, who recently transferred to
Connecticut College, as well as Seif Kouraichi of Brooklyn, NY, who is transitioning to the military where he will train to be a support systems specialist while also earning a degree.

Recently, a generous donor learned of the scholarship program and was moved by the stories of these young recipients and their pursuit of education in the wake of a remarkable loss. This donor wanted to support our inaugural class of scholarship recipients in a meaningful way by donating to the Scholarship Program.

The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, shares, “The YPC Scholarship resonated with me because the push to secure an education in our complicated world is hard enough, and when the burden of a grievous personal loss is added it makes that job even harder. Your scholarship recipients should be recognized for their courage in accepting that challenge.” We are so grateful to this donor as well as many generous supporters and the YPC Committee members who came together to launch a one of its kind scholarship program that resonates so closely with the work that we’re doing at CancerCare.

CancerCare’s Young Professionals Committee (YPC) launched this scholarship in March 2020, at the onset of the pandemic, to support young adults who have lost a parent or guardian to cancer in the last two years. Using proceeds from the YPC’s annual June event in 2019, the funds raised allow the committee to award $2,500 scholarships to high school seniors or undergraduate college students in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

“The YPC is delighted to launch a meaningful program in the midst of the pandemic,” says Patricia J. Goldsmith, CancerCare’s CEO. “Knowing that we are making an impact, however small or large, for young adults who often get left behind, is critical. We hope to continue to grow the Scholarship Program in scope, size and impact and reach as many young adults as we can support.”

The Young Professionals Committee was formed approximately three years ago and is considered CancerCare’s junior board. Professionals 40 years old or younger in the tri-state area are welcome to engage and network with like-minded individuals dedicated to spreading awareness and advancing CancerCare’s mission.

The committee consists of 18 members and is growing steadily. These emerging leaders represent a variety of industries and companies including Colgate-Palmolive, KPMG, Bristol Myers Squibb, IBM, Point 72 Asset Management and Blaylock Van. Members are actively involved in fundraising as well as the design and implementation of specific initiatives, all of which resonate among the group and reflect their shared interest in CancerCare.

If you’re interested in learning more about the YPC or supporting the Scholarship Program, please visit our website for announcements and updates on the 2021-22 academic year fall semester scholarship.

About CancerCare®

Founded in 1944, CancerCare is the leading national organization providing free, professional support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer. Our comprehensive services include resource navigation, counseling and support groups over the phone, online and in-person, educational workshops, publications and financial and co-payment assistance. All CancerCare services are provided by master’s-prepared oncology social workers and world-leading cancer experts.

To learn more, visit our website or call 800-813-HOPE (4673).

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