2026 Circle of Care Education Awards
Circle of Care's Education Award program helps young adult survivors of pediatric cancer pursue higher education by providing financial assistance for tuition and other educational expenses. Grants may be used for accredited colleges, universities, community colleges, technical schools, and certification programs, helping recipients continue their education as they transition from cancer treatment to adulthood.
Future Physician | Four-Year University (Pre-Med Track)
A young woman from Connecticut, a leukemia survivor, is beginning her journey at a four-year university studying biology. She hopes to become a pediatric oncologist, returning one day to care for children the way she was cared for. What stays with you is her sense of purpose, shaped not just by what she’s been through, but by how she wants to show up for others because of it.
Skilled Trades Professional | Technical School (Barbering)
A brain tumor survivor from Massachusetts, he’s chosen a different kind of path: attending barbering school with plans to build a business of his own. He talks about creating a space where people feel comfortable, confident, and connected. His vision is less about the trade itself, and more about what it can offer others.
Business Path | Four-Year State University
From Connecticut, this student is heading to a state university to study business. His focus is is very clear: building stability for himself and for his family. There’s a strong sense of responsibility in the way he talks about the future, shaped by what his family has all been through together.
Healthcare Advocate | Private University (Nursing)
After years of treatment for lymphoma, this student is now pursuing her nursing degree. She speaks quietly yet powerfully about what it means to feel truly cared for, and her goal is simple and profound; to be that person for someone else. There’s a steadiness in her that feels deeply rooted in her own experience.
Creative Professional | Two-Year College (Design Field)
Having faced cancer twice during her adolescence, this student is starting at community college with plans to continue in a creative field. She uses art and storytelling to process what she’s been through, and there’s a quiet strength in how she’s turned something so difficult into a way of expressing herself and moving forward.
Research & Policy Path | Highly Selective University
Accepted to a highly selective university, this student balanced treatment with exceptional academic achievement. She’s looking ahead to a future in healthcare research and policy, with a desire to improve systems for families like hers. She holds both her personal experience and a broader vision for change with remarkable clarity.
Career-Focused Path | Two-Year Program
A first-generation student, he is beginning a two-year program with the goal of entering the workforce quickly in a stable field. His path is thoughtful and intentional. He is focused on helping his family regain footing after everything they’ve faced. There’s a grounded determination in how he approaches what comes next.