Spring Break
ACS helps student cancer survivors
Jose Lopez-Bribiesca, Assistant Lifestyles Editor
Issue date: 1/24/06 Section: Lifestyles
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In 2005, there were an estimated 3,970 people in the United States with cases such as Fincher's, according to the ACS Web site. Arkansas had 400 estimated leukemia cases last year.
Fincher said she is thankful her cancer was not chronic, or prolonged and slow, and that she had it when her body was more durable. She said she is also thankful the disease has not returned.
By not dwelling on the past and looking toward the future, Fincher said she was able to get through the disease.
"I guess I've always been a fighter," she said.
She credits family support and prayer as reasons for having healed from the disease at age 7, and also acknowledges her faith had to do with her recovery.
"I do believe it was a miracle," she said. "[God] had his hand on me. He didn't let go. It just wasn't my time."
She said her survival makes her see she has a purpose in this world. "Hopefully it's speech pathology and to help people," Fincher said with a smile.
The ACS scholarship began in 2000. The $1,000 award will go toward a recipient's tuition, and an ACS volunteer committee bases the winners on their financial need and their academic and leadership experience.
To be eligible for the 2006 ACS Scholarship, a student must meet all of the following requirements:
1. Have a cancer diagnosis before age 21
2. Be under the age of 25 at the time of application
3. Be a legal resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee or Clark or Floyd County, Indiana
4. Be a U.S. citizen
5. Have a G.P.A. of at least 2.5 (based on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent
6. Be accepted (without condition) to an accredited two or four-year university or community college. Consideration will be given to students pursuing an education in regionally accredited vocational-technical schools.
7. Take a minimum of 12 hours per semester/be a full-time student.
The deadline to apply for this year's ACS scholarship is Feb. 1.
Fincher said she is thankful her cancer was not chronic, or prolonged and slow, and that she had it when her body was more durable. She said she is also thankful the disease has not returned.
By not dwelling on the past and looking toward the future, Fincher said she was able to get through the disease.
"I guess I've always been a fighter," she said.
She credits family support and prayer as reasons for having healed from the disease at age 7, and also acknowledges her faith had to do with her recovery.
"I do believe it was a miracle," she said. "[God] had his hand on me. He didn't let go. It just wasn't my time."
She said her survival makes her see she has a purpose in this world. "Hopefully it's speech pathology and to help people," Fincher said with a smile.
The ACS scholarship began in 2000. The $1,000 award will go toward a recipient's tuition, and an ACS volunteer committee bases the winners on their financial need and their academic and leadership experience.
To be eligible for the 2006 ACS Scholarship, a student must meet all of the following requirements:
1. Have a cancer diagnosis before age 21
2. Be under the age of 25 at the time of application
3. Be a legal resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee or Clark or Floyd County, Indiana
4. Be a U.S. citizen
5. Have a G.P.A. of at least 2.5 (based on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent
6. Be accepted (without condition) to an accredited two or four-year university or community college. Consideration will be given to students pursuing an education in regionally accredited vocational-technical schools.
7. Take a minimum of 12 hours per semester/be a full-time student.
The deadline to apply for this year's ACS scholarship is Feb. 1.
