for cancer survivors

By JAINE TREADWELL

Features Editor

Jan. 3, 2001 10 PM

The Mid-South Division of the American Cancer Society (ACS), the nation’s leading voluntary health organization, has established a scholarship program that will award $100,000 in tuition scholarships for young cancer survivors pursuing higher education.

The program is one way the American Cancer Society is helping survivors and their families, said Millette Dunkin, chairperson of the Pike County Chapter of the ACS scholarship program.

"We are really excited to be able to offer this opportunity to young people in our area," Dunkin said. "Fighting cancer can be an enormous financial and emotional hardship, especially on young people. We hope this relieves some of that burden and gives credence to the fact that there is life beyond cancer and survivors can accomplish their dreams."

Dunkin said no information is available about the number of young people in the Pike County area who might qualify for this scholarship program.

"However, we are seeing young people in the survivors’ walk at Relay for Life so we want to make sure everyone is aware of this new program that will assist young cancer survivors as they seek to further their education," she said.

Information will be made available to all area high schools after the holiday recess and at Troy State University.

Application packets will be mailed to students upon request. Students must submit their applications before March 1, 2001, so it is very important that information about the scholarship program gets to the schools as soon as possible, Dunkin said.

The applications must included letters of recommendation, a financial aid form, a transcript of academic records, a goal statement, SAT and/or ACT scores and statement of class rank.

"Awards will be based on a combination of financial need, scholarship, leadership and community service," Dunkin said. "Scholarship are awarded annually but students may reapply each year. This is a wonderful program and will be beneficial to our young cancer survivors."

The first scholarships will be granted in April for the 2001-2002 academic year. Recipients will receive $1,000 each to be used for tuition expenses. Residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee who had a cancer diagnosis before age 21 and a GPA of at least 2.5 or equivalent are eligible. Candidates must be under 25 when they apply and have been accepted to an accredited school.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering through research, education, advocacy and service.

For more information about the program, contact Dunkin at 566-2270 or the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.