Santa Barbara student Mohammad Ameen has been awarded a $10,000 college grant through Northwestern Mutual’s Childhood Cancer Survivor Scholarship Program. The funding will support tuition and other school fees.
Recognizing the significant financial burden families shoulder when undergoing childhood cancer treatments, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is dedicating $500,000 in grants to help fund tuition and other school fees for childhood cancer survivors and siblings of those affected by childhood cancer through its annual Childhood Cancer Survivor and Sibling Scholarship Programs.
Ameen has been recognized as one of the company’s 2022 Childhood Cancer Survivor Scholarship recipients, receiving a $5,000 renewable scholarship (for a total of $10,000).
“Childhood cancer robs children and their families of far too much, and that should not include the opportunity to pursue their dreams of a college degree,” said Steve Radke, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation.
“We are proud to help these brave children start the next chapter of their lives, as well as recognize and honor the challenges siblings endure,” he said.
Ameen was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was two years old. Following chemotherapy and many hospital visits, he went into remission at age 10.
While his doctors told Ameen that school didn’t need to be a part of his daily routine during
treatment, he chose to attend so he could be like kids his age.
He is currently studying at UC Santa Barbara, where his major is actuarial science.
“From my experience with cancer, I have learned that faith is essential when fighting a life-threatening opponent,” Ameen said. “While cancer put many obstacles in my way, I was able to overcome them and actually be more confident in myself.
“I’m grateful for Northwestern Mutual’s scholarship so I can continue to strive for success.”
Northwestern Mutual’s Childhood Cancer Scholarship Program was created to help alleviate another major expense facing families affected by childhood cancer — the cost of a college education.
To date, the company has supported more than 210 scholars and contributed nearly
$1.5 million through the scholarship program, which is administered through Scholarship America, an organization dedicated to developing scholarship solutions for
student success.
Northwestern Mutual’s Childhood Cancer Program is committed to accelerating the search for better treatments and cures for childhood cancer, while supporting families undergoing treatment and survivors struggling with lasting effects.
Since 2012, the company has contributed more than $45 million to the cause and funded more than 520,000 hours of research.
Applications now open for the 2023 program. For more, visit the Northwestern Mutual Foundation website.