A Childhood Cancer Survivor Blogging about the World of Childhood Cancer

Posts tagged ‘Pepperdine University’

Beyond the Cure, Beyond those Dreams

The National Children’s Cancer Society

“We serve as a financial, emotional, and educational resource for families that can’t make ends meet when their child is diagnosed with cancer. Since our inception, we’ve provided more than $57 million in direct financial assistance to more than 33,000 children nationwide, and we work closely with over 300 hospitals and pediatric oncology units throughout the US.”

There is no way I can count the times in these past months of my freshman year at Pepperdine that I look around, take in where I am, and then gasp– realizing how blessed I am. For anyone who has visited the campus, you know there are many long, steep staircases for students to navigate from one place to another– as Pepperdine is built into the Malibu hillside that looks out over the Pacific Ocean. There was a time, not so long ago, that I dreamed of being strong enough to just walk across my room. This not-so-distant memory creates a strong context for the world I now see around me. Being healthy enough to notice what is around me, being healthy enough to take part in the world around me, and being healthy enough to use my life to maybe help someone else’s is “Beyond” my wildest dreams of those days I was flattened on my bed.

Now, outside my dorm room, there is a view that… well… the vast, blue, expansive Pacific! I love the students, dancers, professors, and the atmosphere here! I love learning here. Before I began attending Pepperdine, I never even imagined a college where I would be able to combine my curiosity to learn Bio-Chemistry, my passionate desire to continue to DANCE, and my deep need to grow in my faith. I have all of that; I am so happy here I could scream… or cry… or both!

Without scholarships, my education at Pepperdine would be out of my reach. I am thankful to Pepperdine University, and also to one other organization that has helped me tremendously. The organization I am speaking of is the National Children’s Cancer Society and their Beyond the Cure Scholarship Program. I am very, very thankful to be a recipient of a 2013-2014 Beyond the Cure Scholarship.

http://www.beyondthecure.org/scholarships-2012-2013

I want to let my fellow student/cancer survivors know that the 2013-2014 Beyond the Cure Scholarship Program is now accepting applications. If you are younger than 25 and have been accepted to an accredited educational institution, and you are a childhood cancer survivor (diagnosed before age 18,) then I encourage you to apply.

Application

http://www.thenccs.org/Document.Doc?&id=219

Renewal Application

http://www.thenccs.org/Document.Doc?&id=220

Beyond the Cure Scholarship Information

http://www.beyondthecure.org/scholarships

“The Beyond the Cure Scholarship Program awards college scholarships to childhood cancer survivors who have demonstrated the ability to overcome the difficult challenges of cancer with determination and motivation. A total of $125,000 was awarded to 38 childhood cancer survivors for the 2012-2013 academic year.”

Application deadline is April 1, 2013

I am sending this off with great love and respect for my fellow survivors of childhood cancer. May you receive all the help and support that you need to reach for your wildest dreams…

… and don’t be afraid to reach even further… “Beyond” those dreams!

Go Waves!

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The Extinction of Childhood Cancer

Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

“We will do everything we can to keep that bully away.”

~Father of a child with cancer

from

The Truth 365

Visual images are powerful. Sometimes, it is true that a picture says a thousand words. In order for us (I am talking about serious advocates for children with cancer) to progress to the next level of creating awareness in our society that will begin to truly save lives, we need togetherness, and we need a tool. These are two of my favorite things about The Truth 365 Documentary project. With the images that have been carefully taken and placed together, with many childhood cancer organization, hospitals, and doctors coming together, we have an opportunity before us to take a leap up that huge plateau that stands in the way of cures for childhood cancer. When people of the same interest and same passionate hearts join together, change can happen. We will “Keep That Bully Away!”

“What change would you like to see happen, Melinda,” you say?

Earlier Detection

80% of children who are diagnosed with cancer are diagnosed at advanced stages. This figure compare to 20% in adults.

Develop Less Toxic Treatments

Two thirds of children who survive childhood cancer have life-long effects from the treatment that helped save their life.

Seattle Children’s Hospital on my Make-A-Wish Hope Tour

These changes are only the tip of the iceberg. I want to be able to educate people– that 80% could be your child, or your grandchild, or your brother, or your sister. If people know the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer, then maybe that 80% can drop dramatically. We can then detect childhood cancer sooner, have fewer missed diagnoses, and save more children’s lives.

I received an email today from a teacher who has been sharing The Truth 365 videos with her middle school class. They recently lost a beautiful girl from their town. Brielle battled cancer for many years, and the entire community gathered around to support her. This teacher wants to make a difference for Brielle, who obviously touched the town with her spirit. What a beautiful way to remember her, by helping others. The more we learn, the more we can protect our children, and the more we can become the compassionate, caring human beings we were placed here to be.

One of the best things we can do for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (which is every month of the year for me—not just September!!) is to learn more about it ourselves and help others learn.

Please share, please get involved.

Are you a teacher? You just may save a child’s life by sharing.

Finally, I want to thank Professor Kristen Coppola from Monmouth University for becoming the first University to support The Truth 365…

And to Pepperdine University for being the second! I love Pepperdine! I love each one of you who goes the extra mile to help by sharing. It will make a difference for suffering children who have no voice. What better use of our time and our lives?

The Truth 365 Day 6 Preview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuZ3tIY7GIA&feature=share

I am checking to see if you have signed the petition—not scary—very quick—help the kids—you have the time!

http://www.thetruth365.org/petition/

I love my calendar from St. Luke’s Mountain Tumor Institute in Boise:)

“I want to help be on the forefront of making childhood cancer extinct.”

~Melinda Marchiano

From The Truth 365 Day 6 Preview