Winners - Michaels Way

Winners 2024

Brady Phillip

Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at age 5. Enrolled at Susquehanna University.

“Now that I am older, I am living independently and fulfilling all the childhood dreams I had of attending university. I am going into my sophomore year as an early childhood education major and enjoying ever step of the way. These goals were not always promised, as my cancer clouded my future with uncertainty.”

Edgerin McArthur

At age 16, diagnosed with Osteosarcoma of the left proximal tibia. Attending Temple University in the Fall.

“I quickly grew to hate the hospital, hate chemotherapy, hate long admissions, and hate my body for punishing me like this. I was drowning in hatred and anger, and with that came a disconnect with my goals. As the hospital transformed into a second home, I was encouraged by my support system to look at the family-like relationships I could find there and take advantage of my situation.”

Peyton Whitelaw

At age 16, diagnosed with bronchial carcinoid tumors. Attending Auburn University in the Fall.

“I would go back to school and take an AP Chemistry class and learn my love for chemistry. I realized after a little bit of discussion with my teacher and other chemists that I could help others with research, whether that be pharmaceutical research or cancer biology. I want to make a change in our research on topics that we do not know much about.”

Madison D’Annunzio

Diagnosed with Medullary Thyroid Cancer and MEN2B at age 13. Attending Cedar Crest College in the Fall.

“I want to use my experiences to advocate for others who are going through the same thing, and to be a safe space for them to talk about their issues. It’s easier to talk to someone when they can relate to you, and I want to be that for someone. I want to be an art therapist. The only way I will learn through experiences is to communicate with others and listen to their stories, which I hope people do with mine.”

Olivia Demmler

Diagnosed at age 12 with DNET, a type of brain tumor and then again diagnosed with an ependymoma in the pelvis the following year. Enrolled at Temple University majoring in Recreational Therapy.

“The child life specialists were an important part of the care team. I remember interacting with them both when having procedures and when I was in the hospital for treatment. They provided me with a sense of ease and comfort when I was going through a very nerve-wracking time. I hope to show this same comfort and compassion to my future patients.”

Winners 2023

Shamari Brazile

Diagnosed at 13 years old with Osteosarcoma. Enrolled at George Washington University Honors Program majoring in International Affairs.

“Every so often, I think back to the younger version of myself who didn’t worry about the future. But, then I remember that I am a product of my environment. I am made from my war. And no matter who I am or what I’ve been through, I will still become the best version of myself.”

Jack Hagemeister

Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of 14. Will attend University of Southern California in the Fall.

“People who have never experienced cancer think it’s a solo battle to win, but I know better. After my experience with leukemia- more than two years of treatment, not attending school Freshman year, 50 plus nights in the hospital- I know my community if what got me through.”

Aurora Kimball

At the age of 7, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Enrolled at Berry College as a double major in the pre-vet track of Animal Science and Biology.

“Meeting her was the greatest gift that I could have ever received while in that hospital. She showed me how to be brave even in the toughest of times. I will forever be grateful for how much she helped me fight through my diagnosis.”

Mackenzie Levi

Diagnosed with Medulloblastoma at 2 years old. Attending Christopher Newport University in the Fall with plans to become a pediatric doctor.

“Being a teenager and requiring multiple procedures and checkups led me to become anxious about doctors’ visits. I was waiting for the next shoe to drop because I understood what it meant, and the thoughts of a treasure chest visit didn’t soothe me like it did when I was young.”

Luke Vazdauskas

In 2020, he was diagnosed with B Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. Will attend Bowdoin College in the Fall.

“Soccer had always been the sport I loved, but now I couldn’t play it. So instead, my father and I began to play table tennis. My dad will tell you that the games were close, but his bald sixteen-year-old son was still crushing him despite undergoing chemo.”

Winners 2022

Owen Brazelton

Diagnosed with Medulloblastoma in 2017. Will be attending University of Penn in the Fall majoring in Engineering.

“Looking back, what I remember most about my stay in the hospital was the outpouring of support I received from my family, friends, community, and all my medical providers, for which I am forever grateful. I was humbled to learn that my physician, parents, and an international group of scientists initiated an emergency research project that resulted in me becoming the first recipient of a new treatment specific to my unique medulloblastoma subtype.”

Brennan Cheladyn

Diagnosed in 2019 with Hodgkin Lymphoma. Salutatorian of his high school class, heading to University of Michigan.

“For reasons beyond my knowledge, I was able to win my clash with cancer, whereas many of those around me didn’t. While the pain I endured was temporary, the immense gift of compassion for others was something I now had for the rest of my life. My intrinsic motivation was just one aspect that was supernaturally gifted to me for beating cancer, and one thing I am very grateful to have.”

Anthony Grande

In 2021, diagnosed and treated at CHOP for Rhabdomyosarcoma. Majoring in Communications/Marketing at Penn State Brandywine.

“Later that day, we spoke with our Urologist, who later explained to my mom and I that I was being admitted for a battery of tests and to cancel all plans. My mom said, my son is getting ready to graduate – can he go to his graduation. Our Urologist said he could not answer those questions until all the tests are done but not to plan on attending. My mom cried; I was in disbelief in what is happening to me.”

Jadyn Maher

Attends Brandeis University. Diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma in 2018.

“Beneath the hardship was an unforeseen gem in disguise. During my time at NIH, some of my fears began to dissolve. I dreaded even the smallest of needles before my surgery. However, my experiences in a hospital setting illuminated a critical shift in my mindset toward physicians; I learned the value of sympathy, patience, individual sacrifice for the benefit of others and confronting affliction with persistent optimism.”

Naiyanna Maurath

Attends West Chester University on the Pre-Med track. Latin American Student Org Vice President. Diagnosed and treated at St. Christopher’s in 2017 for B-Cell Lymphoma.

“A tiny purplish, brownish scar is visible. A scar so close to fading, yet so vivid in my mind. The scar that wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t beaten the odds. The scar that reminds me that things could change in an instant. That today could be the day I either live to fullest or the day someone tells me it’s my last adventure. It’s the thought that haunts me until I turn it into my daily motivation.”

Patrick McSweeney

Enrolled at University of Louisville, majoring in Nursing. Diagnosed at 5 years old and relapsed 6 times.

“Because at the end of the day, my experiences with cancer are what will make me a better nurse to other children. I can say I understand what they’re going through and mean it. I can be the one helping to get them into remission, giving them the chance to fight one more day at a time, until eventually they get to ring their bell and win their fight. That’s all I want to do with my life. I want to give these kids and families the chance to live and to have a future the same way my doctors and nurses have done for me.”

Francesca Olguin

Diagnosed at 16 with carcinoma. Enrolled at Stanford as a Graduate Student studying Biology.

“In my current position in the Gaensler Laboratory at UCSF, we are developing an autologous Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) vaccine, with the potential to prevent relapse with few, if any, systemic side effects. The importance of this research is highlighted by the 50% recurrence rate of AML and the decline in treatment effectiveness each time the disease returns. Each of these opportunities has given me a glimpse of the promising future of cancer treatments. I hope to build upon my research experiences while leveraging novel therapeutics and treatment strategies in the fight against cancer as both a clinician and a scientist.”

Melanie Reynoso

Graduated from Pocono High School heading to East Stroudsburg in the Fall. Diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2021.

“With constant doctors visits, chemotherapy breaking down my immune system, and the pandemic still flaring up, it was best if I continued school online. And so, I began senior year from home. I hadn’t felt it then, but I would soon miss the classroom environment and ability to socialize with other people besides my family. Being a cancer patient affected my health more and more while it also affected my education.”

Emily Chavez Robalino

Student at Towson University studying Family & Human Services. Diagnosed with B Cell ALL in December of 2018.

“Having to navigate through the hospital system along with insurance, I soon grew an extraordinary disdain for how complicated it can be for someone to simply receive treatment. Along the way, I met many brave warriors, much younger than me, that had a worse diagnosis. Sometimes, their parent(s) spoke little to no English. I could not imagine how they were navigating the system.”

Mayra Rodriguez

Diagnosed with ALL at 7 years old. Attends University of the Pacific studying Audiology.

“A lot of the reason why I work hard in school stems from my academic struggles during elementary school. I graduated a semester early from San Jose State University with a degree in Communicative Disorders and Sciences as well as double minors in Early Childhood Special Education and Deaf Education. I took 15-19 units per semester while working full-time hours each week to keep myself financially afloat. I like putting myself up to a challenge and surpassing my own limits.”

Katie Tindall

Oncology Social Worker attending graduate school online with Florida State University. Diagnosed and treated at CHOP with High Risk ALL at age 11.

“My treatment path was anything but easy, and the one person who got me through every setback and every bad day was my social worker, Joan. Every single chemo appointment, I would spend the entire day in her office, and it was during one of our sessions that I knew I wanted to be just like her. I knew I wanted to become a social worker and do for others what she had done for me. I knew I could make a difference with the oncology population.”

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