Jeff Crawford Scholarships
Many people know Cindy Crawford as a superstar model. Cindy has been helping Little Star Foundation for over 15 years. Cindy's personal efforts have global impact on the children and all areas of the Foundation. Cindy visited Andrea and the Foundation in Colorado over 15 years ago and ever since, each and every year, she helps financially and emotionally in her care for the children and Foundation. In addition, Cindy, her husband Rande Gerber and their two children have become staples at Little Star Foundation programs bringing cheer, fun and laughter to the children. The Jeff Crawford Scholarship Award is named after Cindy Crawford's brother, Jeff, who passed away from cancer. Jeff Crawford Scholarships are given to Foundation participants who have grown up through our long term care children's cancer programs and who are in need of funds to attend college. Many of the Jeff Crawford Scholarships awarded have made it possible for recipients to continue life saving cancer treatments. Once a child reaches the age of 18, if they cannot afford to attend college, they get cancelled off their parents insurance, therefore resulting in a stop of hospital treatments.
You can help provide an important educational opportunity for a child who has battled cancer as well as allow them to continue cancer fighting treatments by your support of The Jeff Crawford Scholarship Program, one of several important Little Star Foundation programs.
These are just a few of the many amazing recipients of the Jeff Crawford Scholarship Award.
Salma
Osteogenic Sarcoma
"You know the old saying, every time you fall off the horse, just get back on? Well, that’s my motto. Every time obstacles come to you, you get up and face them. Just like Heidi and Andrea were talking about the Foundation and no one believed in it…Look how far I’ve come and I am so grateful that I have been able to come back here to the Ranch twice. I am so grateful for everyone at the SLR and so happy to be here and I love you all! "
Woodhaven, NY Major: Business at Baruch College
I believe that everyone in one time or another has obstacles to face at one point or another in their lives. The way one might deal with their unique situation is by having a positive attitude and looking on the bright side of what might come of it. The way I deal with my situation is by having a positive attitude and putting all my emotions into my schoolwork.
I believe that I could be good recipient for this scholarship because I have worked hard in school and it is the only thing I can say I'm proud of. Even though I have fought cancer five times and missed three to four years of school I graduated with my fellow peers of the same age, working hard towards my goals. Not only that on one of my regents I took, history, I got a 93 being one of the highest grades in my class. Also I have been a proud member of Arista, and always on the honors list. Also in high school I was in three AP classes, History, English, and Math. I am proud to not only accomplish all this, but also I graduated in the top 5% at my school.
With all that I have done I believe that I would be a good recipient of this scholarship and would try to better myself in more ways than one if you choose me. Thank you very much for considering me for this scholarship.
Cory
Osteogenic Sarcoma
"Let go, let God and allow God to take care of the rest."
Clinton Township, MI Major: Education at Oakland University
Life Lesson(s)
One of my favorite life lessons is to do your best to maintain a positive attitude. Attitude determines altitude and if you believe you can do it, most of the time you really can. We have two choices as humans when we wake up every morning, we can either go about our day with a positive attitude or with a negative attitude. Our attitudes can quickly and easily rub off on others, similar to a ripple effect. By us going about our day in a positive way, we can help others have a positive day as
well. However, our attitudes can also do the inverse and drag others down with us. I know this easier said than done, but we as humans should be conscious of how important it is to maintain a positive outlook on life. Life is all about choices. I have to remind myself all the time to not dwell on the negatives in my life, but rather rejoice over all the things I do have in my life. I know I will suffer many more complications down the road due to the tremendous amount of chemotherapy my body soaked in years ago, but I can't worry about that now. I can't worry about tomorrow, I have today to live, and having a positive attitude definitely helps with that. That's why attitude is everything!
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34.
Ashlee
Brighton, MA Major: Public Health at Johns Hopkins University
After being diagnosed with cancer in 1999, I came to realize just how precious life truly is. If I could share one life lesson with the world, it would be this: live life to the fullest because you never know whether or not tomorrow will come. Through my experiences with this life-threatening disease, I have learned that it is not worth wasting my valuable moments wallowing in sadness or grief, because as the seconds tick by, so do the memories. I must enjoy every day to the fullest and live each day as if it is my last. I have lost so many friends to cancer that I have come to realize just how lucky I am to be alive.
I no longer worry about the little things, but rather look at the big picture, and enjoy the time I have on this beautiful planet. I wake up in the morning and thank God for the opportunity he has given me to watch the sun rise one more time. At night, when I look out my window and watch the moon and the stars sparkle down at me, I think how amazing it is just to be alive. My cancer diagnosis has had such a profound impact on my life that I would not trade my experience for anything!
Grant
Centennial, CO Major: Biology at University of Colorado at Boulder
One of the things I've come to realize is that I am not a typical teenager. I'm not bothered by things most teens agonize over: clothes, cliques, or who's dating whom. I have more important things on my mind. I have determined what I want to do with my future. I have discovered my passion: cancer research.
I was diagnosed with brain cancer during my sophomore year. As I struggled through chemo and tried to keep up with my classes at the same time, I found solace in my chemistry textbook. Maybe it was the fact that mysterious compounds pervaded my body and I wanted to understand how they worked. I immersed myself in diagrams and formulas. Once I finished chemo and radiation, I began to think about the future. I decided that I wanted to join the search for a cure. My commitment solidified after attending a lecture on careers in medical research. I was so interested that the presenting professor gave me a job in her lab. I decided to major in molecular biology, get a PhD, and eventually run my own cancer research lab. I really am different from other teenagers. I've managed to look inside the dark cloud of a brain tumor and find the silver lining. If I am awarded this scholarship, it will bring me closer to the front lines in the fight against cancer. With the help of a Jeff Crawford Scholarship, I can begin to help others win their battles with cancer.
Brittany
West Islip, NY Major: Liberal Arts at Suffolk Community College
I was diagnosed with stage 3 osteosarcoma. My supposed fact of life I realize was something not to be taken for granted. Not that I ever misappropriated the need for book work, but I always assumed my need for financial aid would be met. No longer is there a softball scholarship waiting for me. No longer can my parents extend tuition to me or my sister. I now face the cold hard reality of life that I unfortunately will not be capable of attending an institution to further my education. I have witnessed the trials and tribulations of my parents fighting with agencies for financial assistance to get my sister into school. These bureaucrats refuse to see the gray areas of what cancer can do to a family financially. Not only are my parents economically ruined due to my illness, but our goal of continuing education cannot be met.
The physical limitations due to range of motion were truly beyond my power of control. When the discussion of amputation came along I vehemently refused. Knowing something would come along to save my arm. That miracle did happen. Knowing that I will always have a physical handicap is evident in many things I do. I have never thought I would not go to college and facing that fact now is extremely deflating. I would like to create a workshop for children in performing arts. I want to help these young individuals to find their voice. Trust me, as most young adults in my position there is not much we take for granted any longer. I need to complete my schooling. It is just one more goal in life that I must strive for. Your assistance along with the awesome experience of Little Star Foundation would never be unrecognized. I want to make the difference in the life of someone needing a special hand. The Ranch helped me that summer to emerge from being the cancer victim and start living life again.
James
Brandon, FL Major: Florida State University
My name is James Christopher Eason, Jr. On April 25, 1996, I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. For the next three years I underwent intense chemotherapy treatments. The brightest memories that I have during that dark period in my life were of my two visits to Little Star Foundation. Having cancer and facing my own mortality has forever changed my life.
I am a focused and determined student. I am also someone who lives life to the fullest and finds the best in every situation. I have also been involved in numerous volunteer programs and love giving back to the world in which we live. I would be an excellent recipient of the Jeff Crawford Scholarship for all of these reasons.
I will be attending Florida State University in August. The money would be used to pay for my room and board. Because of the financial burdens of my past illness and the fact that I also have two younger sisters, my parents are not able to fund any part of my college. College would not even be option for me if it wasn't for scholarships such as this.
Chelsea
Verona, WI Major: Liberal Arts at the University of California, Santa Cruz
“Why I would be a good recipient of the Jeff Crawford Scholarship”
People always told me that life wasn't fair. I have been through many things in my life that weren't fair. I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 13. I also lost a dear friend of mine in a car accident a year and a half ago. I realized that no, life is not fair, life is right. I have always wondered why me? After a lot of thought I have decided that it all boils down to everything happens for a reason. As much as I hate to admit it, I got cancer for a reason. I think I would be a good recipient of this scholarship because I work hard at the things I want. One such thing is my education. One goal of mine has always been to graduate from a California school. I am achieving my goal by going to the University of California-Santa Cruz next year. Because this dream has come true, I am trying everything in my power to help my parents with the financial situation, but because I'm out of state the tuition is high. I am planning on being a Resident Assistant to pay for room and board and I am also planning on getting a job, but this will not be enough. I need to help them by getting scholarships. If I got this scholarship I would feel like I would be able to pay my parents back for helping me so much through my years with cancer.
Katie
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia
"Keep a positive attitude and always smile."
Ft. Thomas, KY Major: Nursing at Northern Kentucky University
Through my experience with cancer I can only think of one thing to do with my life: become a pediatric oncology nurse. I recently received my letter of acceptance to the nursing program at Northern Kentucky University. It's crazy how one little letter could determine what I do in my life and being accepted into nursing school was one of the most emotional times of my life. Sitting in a hospital bed, I had so much respect for my nurses. Every nurse I ever had I consider one of my heroes. It takes a very special person to work with children who have cancer and I am in awe of everything my nurses have, and continue to do for me. I want to have my chance to be a hero to a kid struggling to cope with cancer and I hope to be able to bring a smile to their face and make the situation a little more bearable. With the help of the Jeff Crawford Scholarship I will be able to attend nursing school and accomplish my goal of becoming a pediatric nurse.
Lindsay
Parker, CO Major: Social Work at Metro State College, Denver
Thank you for considering me for a scholarship this year. I want to tell you how much help last year’s scholarship was to me. I didn't have to worry about how I was going to pay for my year of college. I was free to set my mind towards my studies and for that I am hugely grateful. I think this scholarship gives me peace of mind and freedom. I have very few worries toward school with the financial issue taken out of the equation. I would be a good recipient because of my pure gratitude.
This grant will be used to pay for my college tuition. This grant is enabling me to further my education to reach for a better job than just the minimum low level job that I have now. I don't plan to be at the low level all of my life and you are making it easier for me to go past that level of play.
Whatever your decision though, I will always be grateful for all you have done for me and provided me with. Thanks, Lindsay Belt
Ray
Chicago, IL Major: C.I.S. at DeVry University
I was diagnosed with AML in April of 2001 and treated at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. I am a senior in High School and have endured many things. When I was diagnosed with leukemia, I was told that I would undergo chemotherapy. I had various kinds of chemo that affected me in different ways. In October of 2001, I fell into a coma and underwent physical therapy for my legs. I am now happy to say that I have been in remission for two and a half years. I have joined the college excel program in Chicago to experience college life. In this program, students from a variety of high schools have a chance to attend college classes of their choice for free. I took it upon myself to attend this program and better my education. While attending this program for two years, I have learned MS Office, UNIX, MS DOS, Visual C++, Visual Basic and Web Design. I also took it upon myself to take Humanities English and Social Studies to broaden my view on humanity. I am also taking Pre-Calculus to prepare myself for my major in Computer Information Systems that I will pursue at DeVry University. Due to my experience with cancer, I have learned that I should "Live life to the fullest". I would like to thank the Silver Lining Foundation for making a part of their family and helping me live my life to the fullest.
Siray
Ewing’s Sarcoma
"Whatever doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger"
Bellerose, NY Major: Nursing at Hunter College
As an intern at the Foundation, I have learned a lot about both the foundation and it's significance towards children with cancer. The foundation not only provides children with memorable experiences, but also with a new and positive outlook on life. I would be an excellent candidate for the Jeff Crawford Scholarship because I personally feel I am a very hardworking and intelligent student. As a second year pre-nursing student, I believe education is the most essential form of knowledge one can ever receive in his or her lifetime. Education is what can help you build a life of success and achievement. Even as a young child, I understood the value of education, which is the reason why I want to pursue a career as a Nurse Practitioner.
Not only am I a "nerd" in school, but I also participate in many extracurricular activities outside of college. Recently I worked in the hospital as a volunteer for about a year in the Emergency Room and the Pediatric unit as an intern. I have also worked for many organizations such as "The Making Strides" organization, in which I helped raise money for the fight against breast cancer. Interning during camp has given me the chance to meet many children who are facing obstacles that I once had to deal with. I would be a good recipient for the scholarship because I represent myself as an individual who has really faced many obstacles and still sees life in a positive aspect. The program's money would definitely benefit my education by helping me take care of book expenses, nursing examination and class expenses. Since I am a full time student and a part time worker, I personally am not capable of saving money for my nursing expenses due to everyday expenses. I would greatly appreciate the extra money which would help me achieve my dream of becoming a nurse and one day help children the same way the foundation does.
Theo
New York, NY Major: Computer Science at Borough of Manhattan Community College
It would be a blessing and a dream coming true for me if the Foundation would choose me for a scholarship grant. When I was in eighth grade, I often said how wonderful it would be to attend a good high school and graduate to further my education by going to college. Unfortunately, August 2001, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. My mom resigned from her job so that she could be home to take care of me. My mom has used up all of her savings. She paid household bills, carfare to take me to my doctor appointments, medications and bought Ensure drinks for me.
The scholarship grant will pay for my college tuition and books that I will need while attending Borough of
Manhattan Community College September of this year. I have chosen to study liberal arts and earn an associate's degree. My major will be computer science and I will earn my bachelor's degree.
Sincerely, Theophilus O. Martin Jr.