Hope, Strength and Courage Bring About College Scholarships for Young Cancer Survivors
Denver — The cost of college just got lighter for four young Colorado cancer survivors. The Limb Preservation Foundation’s college scholarship program extended grants of $2,500 to each of the extremity (tumor, trauma or infection) patients in support of their education. This year’s winners include Chesley Heffron of Franktown, Catherine “Katie” Adamson of Littleton, Parker Simpson of Aurora, and Ethan Orth of Peyton.
“It’s an honor to be associated with people of such strong character,” said Melissa Francis, executive director of the Limb Preservation Foundation. “They prove to us that young people—even the most fit and active—are not immune to disease. Because that’s the case, we need to work together to prevent loss of life and limbs.”
Each student crafted an essay describing his or her journey through trauma. Common themes included chemotherapy, surgery and targeted determination to succeed in their chosen fields.
In every case, the diagnosis was a surprise. Chelsea Heffron, currently a student at the University of Colorado at Denver, played volleyball since the 5th grade. During her junior year in high school she dismissed pain in her shoulder as the result of serving up many powerful shots on the court. When the pain refused to go she sought medical attention. She was shocked to hear a diagnosis of high grade osteogenic sarcoma, the most common type of malignant bone cancer, accounting for 35% of primary bone malignancies. Next steps: intensive chemotherapy and shoulder surgery. She now takes her experience public as a speaker promoting cancer awareness, especially in young people, and the need for tissue donation. She has been honored with the Metropolitan Mayors and Commissioners Youth Awa rd and was the assistant volleyball coach to girls in grade school for two years. “My message is about reminding people to never give up hope and that this is just one stepping stone in the rest of your life,” said Heffron. “Survivors have probably done more in their lives than most people do in a lifetime.”
Since the Foundation’s inception, more than $1 million has been raised to support treatment, research, and educational programs regarding limb preservation. Of that total, much has been allocated to provide limb-sparing medical treatment such as chemotherapy and antibiotics, that under- or non-insured individuals would have not had access without the Patient Assistance Program. Patients range in age from 6 to 64 years old. All patients have experienced limb threatening conditions, such as20bone or soft tissue tumors, severe extremity infections or trauma including amputation, gunshot wounds and non-healing fractures. The Limb Preservation Foundation has also allocated money for clinical and laboratory research regarding limb preservation including the treatment of osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and non-healing fractures, chemotherapy and disease transmission during bone and tissue transplants.
For more information about the Limb Preservation Foundation visit www.limbpreservation.org.
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