Press Release
2021-09-13
CancerCare®'s Young Professionals Committee Scholarship Program Re-Opens for 2021-22 Academic Year
CancerCare’s Young Professionals Committee (YPC) is excited to announce that applications are now open for the Scholarship Program’s second year. Established in March 2020, the YPC Scholarship Program awards one-time $2,500 grants to young adults who have lost a parent or guardian to cancer in the last two years.
Scholarship applications are open to high school seniors or undergraduate college students in a community college or 4- or 6-year program. High school applicants must attend a school located in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or Pennsylvania. Undergraduate applicants must be from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut or Pennsylvania, but may attend college anywhere in the United States. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and require simple background information as well as a short essay. Disbursements are made during the fall and spring semesters on a first come, first served basis.
The committee is also proud to announce the creation of The Seynabou Ba Fund under the YPC Scholarship Program, made possible thanks to a generous anonymous donor.
Seynabou Ba’s mother, Na Ba, is a 10-year volunteer in the CancerCare Education Department. After Seyna’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2015, Na encouraged her to meet with Carolyn Messner, DSW, OSW-C, FAPOS, FAOSW, LCSW-R, CancerCare’s Director of Education and Training. Dr. Messner referred Seyna to CancerCare’s Young Adult Program.
Soon after, Seyna started working closely with Sarah Paul, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, now Director of Clinical Programs. “Seyna worked tirelessly to create safe and supportive spaces for those affected by cancer,” Ms. Paul recalled. “I feel privileged to have known her and to witness the lasting impact that she has made not only on me, but on CancerCare and the young adult cancer community as a whole.”
Because of her own experience with cancer, Seyna was passionate about staying involved with the organization. Dr. Messner later introduced Seyna to the Young Professionals Committee. Dr. Messner said, “The Seynabou Ba Fund upholds Seyna’s commitment to supporting young adults affected by cancer. There could not be a more fitting tribute to keep her vision, memory and passion alive than establishing this fund.”
Seyna served as the Young Professionals Committee’s inaugural chair and a Scholarship Subcommittee member. Within a few years, Seyna was elected to CancerCare’s Board of Trustees and was the youngest board member in CancerCare’s long history.
“It was through Seyna’s leadership, passion and perseverance that the YPC launched the scholarship program,” shared Samantha Sayer, current YPC chair. “The scholarship program has the opportunity to provide the inspiration and resources necessary for its recipients to rise above the adversity they face and have the confidence to pursue their academic dreams. Seyna will be deeply missed, but her generosity and memory lives on in each future scholarship recipient.”
CancerCare is proud to honor Seyna’s legacy by supporting even more students and young adults impacted by cancer. To learn more about the YPC Scholarship Program or to apply, visit www.cancercare.org/youngprofessionals. Donations can also be made to The Seynabou Ba Fund at www.cancercare.org/seynabou-ba-fund.
About CancerCare's Young Professionals Committee®
CancerCare’s Young Professionals Committee was formed in 2018 and is comprised of professionals 40-years-old or younger in the tri-state area to engage and network with like-minded individuals dedicated to spreading awareness of CancerCare and advancing its mission by supporting young adults. These emerging leaders represent a variety of career fields and companies including Bristol Meyers Squibb, Capital One, Guidemark Health, Verizon Media and Point72 Asset Management. For more information on the Young Professionals Committee, contact Eunice E. Hong, Director of Philanthropy, at ehong@cancercare.org.
About CancerCare®
Founded in 1944, CancerCare is the leading national organization providing free, professional support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer. Our comprehensive services include resource navigation, counseling and support groups over the phone, online and in-person, educational workshops, publications and financial and co-payment assistance. All CancerCare services are provided by master’s-prepared oncology social workers and world-leading cancer experts.