Local Cancer Survivor Awarded College Scholarship

Heather Barger of Logan, UT has been awarded a $2,500college scholarship by the American Cancer Society.

“The scholarship is a huge financial help,” Barger said. “I want to work with children in a hospital setting and am working on a degree in speech pathology.”

Barger is a two time cancer survivor and was first diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia while she was in fourth grade. She then went into remission for three and a half years and was diagnosed a second time when she was 13.

“My sister Kasie was my donor for both my bone marrow and stem cell transplants,” Barger noted. I’m feeling really good now.”

She has been cancer free for six years. Barger will be a senior at Utah State University in the fall of 2008. She is a graduate of Canyon View High School in Cedar City, UT.

Scholarships were awarded based on financial need, leadership, academic achievement and community service. To be eligible, candidates must have had a cancer diagnosis before age 21 and be a Great West resident. Students must also have a GPA of at least 2.5 and been accepted to an accredited school.

The purpose of the scholarship program is to help both the patient and family overcome the financial burden of cancer. For many, the financial impact from their cancer diagnosis has put the opportunity for higher education out of reach. With the opportunity for a cancer survivor college scholarship to help cover the increasing cost of tuition and related expenses, pediatric and adolescent cancer survivors are encouraged to fulfill their dreams and realize their full potential.

For more information about this scholarship program, call the American Cancer Society toll-free at 1.800.ACS.2345.

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 from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.